Rookie Kimi Antonelli Shares Key Lessons from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen

Italy’s 2024 Formula 1 rookie Kimi Antonelli has opened up about the mentorship he’s receiving from two of the sport’s biggest names – seven‑time champion Lewis Hamilton and reigning champion Max Verstappen. In a candid interview with Yahoo Sports, the 19‑year‑old, who currently drives for the Alpine Academy, said the insights he’s gaining are shaping his approach to race craft, mental preparation and technical feedback.

Learning from Hamilton’s consistency

Antonelli highlighted Hamilton’s relentless focus on consistency, especially in qualifying. “Lewis always talks about getting the perfect lap, but more importantly, staying calm under pressure,” he explained. The young driver said he’s adopting a routine of visualising each sector before the lap and using a ‘single‑focus’ mindset to avoid over‑thinking. He also noted Hamilton’s emphasis on physical fitness, adding that the British champion’s training regime has inspired him to increase his cardio work and core strength to cope with the G‑forces of modern F1 cars.

Absorbing Verstappen’s aggression and race‑day adaptability

When it comes to race‑day tactics, Antonelli said Verstappen’s willingness to take calculated risks has been a major influence. “Max shows you how to read the car and the track in real time, and when to push versus when to preserve the tyres,” Antonelli said. He recounted a recent testing session where Verstappen advised him to experiment with brake bias adjustments mid‑run, a move that helped Antonelli shave 0.15 seconds off his lap time. The Dutch champion’s focus on data‑driven decisions, Antonelli added, has encouraged him to spend more time in the simulator analysing telemetry.

Applying the lessons to his debut season

Antonelli’s debut race at the Bahrain Grand Prix saw him finish a respectable 12th, a result he attributes partly to the mental tools he’s borrowed from Hamilton and Verstappen. He stressed that the real test will be maintaining performance over a full season, especially on circuits where tyre degradation is high. “The advice from Lewis and Max isn’t just about speed; it’s about endurance and staying sharp from the first lap to the checkered flag,” he said.

For Indian fans

The upcoming Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit will be Antonelli’s first race on home soil for many Indian viewers. The race will start at 12:30 IST on 2 December and will be streamed live on FanCode, with free‑to‑air highlights on Star Sports. Indian fans can watch Antonelli apply his new-found lessons in front of a familiar track, making it a compelling storyline for the weekend.

Source: Yahoo Sports