Nico Rosberg gets right to the point about Kimi Antonelli

Andrea Kimi Antonelli also won in Madrid, showing incredible maturity for a 20-year-old: the Mercedes driver was able to come out on top even in one of his less impressive races, capitalizing on the Virtual Safety Car and solidifying his lead over his rivals in the overall standings.

Speaking to Sky, Nico Rosberg emphasized that what the driver from Bologna is doing is extraordinary: “I remember when I was closing in on the title myself back in 2016. I was absolutely terrified that it would be difficult to drive properly. The closer I got to the end of the season, the more impossible it became for me to win races or take pole position because my mind was so obsessed with the fear of losing my dream due to a stupid mistake or something beyond my control.”

But Kimi doesn’t seem to be feeling the pressure for now: “Sooner or later, he’ll have to realize it. But it’s incredible how solid and mature he already is. Even Toto can hardly believe it.”

Toto Wolff tried to explain Antonelli’s mental strength this way: “His young age helps him a great deal, since he’s only 20. He could stay in this sport for 20 years, with countless opportunities available to him. He’s far exceeding all of our expectations—and even his own. I think there’s also a genetic factor. Either you’re born calm, or you’re not. You can see it in the youth categories or in karting: the ability to handle pressure comes more easily.”