F1: Kimi Antonelli dreams of a podium finish at Imola

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver, spoke on the Formula One media day before the race weekend in Imola. The Italian driver since joining Mercedes has been bringing great results to the German car manufacturer, and this will be the first race for him as a Formula One driver in Italy. Imola he calls his absolute favorite track, and after his great results in Miami the Italian driver is dreaming big.

The Mercedes driver began by saying, “Nice to celebrate after Bologna won the Coppa Italia. The city was crazy, it was fun even though I was not late. I live not far from here, this is my home race and on an old school track it is fabulous to drive. It will be fabulous to take to the track in front of so many fans, my family and ami my friends. Me or Ferrari? I hope more flags for me, but that would be weird. Ferrari is something really big as a following.”

Antonelli then turned to the excellent performance in Miami: “In Miami in qualifying it went well and I had a good confidence boost. The race didn’t go so well, but I didn’t lose confidence. Now the season starts in Europe and I am excited. Did I dream about the first podium at home? In my family we are superstitious and we don&#8217t talk about it, we think one step at a time. But that&#8217s the goal and it would be great. I want to win, but you also have to be realistic”.

The Italian driver continued, “What are we missing to win? I am not in a position to say, but the car has been consistent and the team is doing a great job. The gap from McLaren is a lot, in Miami it was confirmed, but we are working hard to improve and with updates we hope to make progress. They have been in the factory, there is a great enthusiasm. The weekend on an emotional level will be considerable and I will have to manage my energy well and not waste it on things that are not useful. It will be important not to be in ‘reserve’ but I have people by my side who will help me in this. Enthusiasm, however, will also be able to give energy to do well.”

Kimi Antonelli then concluded by making a remark about the gesture made by Lewis Hamilton: “The note that Hamilton wrote me explains what a person he is beyond the driver. To receive it from him, one of the best in history, is fantastic. And I also use it as motivation to go to the track and do my best, I hung it on the wall of my room.”