Beginning next season, Kimi Antonelli is set to take over Lewis Hamilton’s position in the Mercedes F1 team. Clive Rose took the photo for Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli possesses a skill for entertaining at parties. Ask him for his qualifying lap time in any race weekend he has participated in and he will be able to provide it accurately to the nearest tenth of a second.
With over 30 qualifying sessions completed at more than 20 circuits in just the last two years, it’s difficult to recall everything. Prior to discussing his journey to Formula 1 with Antonelli, ESPN needed to assess his abilities.
“What time did you clock in Imola for Formula 2 qualification this year?”
“He confidently says, “1:27.3.” Affirmative.
“Budapest, Formula 2?”
One thirty point three. Right on.
What about two years ago in the Formula Regional European Championship. Shall we attempt Q1 at Mugello?
The time was 1:42.4, while Q2 clocked in at 1:42.6. Once again, you are right.
Antonelli stressed the significance of lap time to him. I am constantly striving for faster lap times, and they seem to linger in my mind unintentionally.
As impressive as this advanced memory game may be, it is the skills demonstrated in those lap times that ultimately persuaded Mercedes to select Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s successor for the upcoming year.