Jannik Sinner modeled after Kimi Antonelli: "Impressive mentality"

Jannik Sinner is one of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s role models. The 18-year-old Mercedes driver represents one of the enfant prodigies of Italian sports, just as the South Tyrolean champion was before he became the No. 1 in the ATP rankings and world tennis. That’s why, as the Imola Grand Prix approaches (true home event for him), the Bolognese admitted to be inspired by him.

“One thing that impresses me a lot about Sinner is his mental strength – explained Antonelli during a promotional event in Santena -Even when he happens to start a game not at his best, he always seems to have the strength to face problems and turn them around to his advantage. That is why I have great admiration for him”.

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One of the aspects Antonelli sees in common between himself and the Sinner of early success in great tennis lies in the growing attention from the Italian generalist public. “To see that there are more and more people supporting you is certainly a good feeling. At the same time, however, it is important to be careful not to get carried away by popularity while always keeping your focus and feet on the ground”.

Already the protagonist of some important early records for Formula 1, Antonelli gave great credit to Toto Wolff for the trust granted to him: “When he called in 2017, we did not think twice. These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. He has always helped me all these years, to the point of giving me a great car in this 2025. That is why I feel overjoyed in Mercedes, although you never know what may happen in the future”.