Kimi Antonelli said he has cut out social media during Formula 1 race weekends to help him to focus on his title challenge. The Italian teenager is 20 points clear of vastly more experienced team-mate George Russell after the first four rounds of the season and hopes to extend that advantage with what would be a fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory in Montreal this weekend.
Given his unexpectedly strong start to only his second F1 campaign, and still only 19 years of age, interest in the young Mercedes racer has exploded – particularly in his homeland. His social media following has also grown significantly and, to avoid any distraction that might bring, he has chosen to give it up altogether when he is at the race track.
“Social media, I don’t look at all during the race week,” Antonelli said. “I try to avoid as many distractions as possible, because all I want is just to try and be as focused as possible on the goal of the weekend, So, focusing on the process, on what I have to do… definitely I know expectations are very high now, especially after this strong start of the year, but I try not to worry too much about it, and not get carried away from it.
“I just try to, as I did all the other weekends, just try to focus on what I have to do, trying to be determined and also enjoying as well the weekend, enjoying the driving and then, I know if I do these things well, which is also staying present in every moment, that a good result will come.”
Antonelli’s talent is obvious and he has proven in recent weeks that he has the speed and the nerve to hold off the sport’s best driver to win races. What is not yet clear, even to the teenager himself, is whether he can sustain these results and performance levels over a full F1 season.
“That’s the question mark, even for myself,” he admitted. “I think the year of experience last season is playing a massive role and also going through the difficult moments last year helped me, made me a lot stronger. I feel more in control of the situation, more aware of what’s good and not good for me.
“I’m just trying to focus on the right things but so far it’s going pretty well and obviously the goal this weekend is to pick up where we left off in Miami and just continue this good streak. Obviously you never know, I think it’s not impossible to maintain this form for the whole year.
“This weekend we will definitely try to make even better memories, try to finish on the highest step of the podium but we know it’s going to be difficult. George has always been very strong here, it’s not going to be straightforward but we’re also bringing upgrades which hopefully they will work well. We’ve tried on the simulator and so far they seem positive.”