Lando Norris warns Kimi Antonelli of ‘steep learning curve’ over F1 debut
Lando Norris believes that Kimi Antonelli will have to face a very steep learning curve in F1 while debuting with Mercedes.
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Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli (via IMAGO)
The entire Mercedes crew has extremely high hopes for the prodigy Kimi Antonelli who is set to enter F1 as a full-fledged driver in 2025. The Italian was provided with the Italian GP FP1 session to make his debut in the sport. However, the prodigy crashed his chassis ten minutes into the session. As a result, Lando Norris believed that getting used to F1 would be a steep learning curve for the 18-year-old.
Kimi Antonelli has secured a one-year contract with Mercedes for the coming season amidst incessant rumors. However, Lando Norris noted that Antonelli would have a steep learning curve while joining the sport. Additionally, the Briton believed his learning curve would be much steeper than any other driver on the grid.
I'm sure it will be a steep learning curve for him, steeper than probably what most of us have ever had, which always comes with pressure and things like that.Lando Norris told racingnews365.com
Norris further noted that as long as Kimi Antonelli was able to cope with the pressure of joining Mercedes, he would be fine. Hence, the 18-year-old would have to work extremely hard to prove his mettle against the prolific George Russell. Subsequently, Norris pointed out that Antonelli would be up to speed in ‘no time’ after being paired up with Russell.
As long as he copes with that well, learning from one of the best [George Russell] here [in F1] as his team-mate, then I'm sure he'll be up to speed in no time.Lando Norris added
Kimi Antonelli ‘proved himself’ in junior categories to deserve a seat in F1
Kimi Antonelli had put up highly impressive results in the F4 category and was thus, directly promoted to F2. Hence, the young Italian has already achieved an F1 seat after impressive results. On this, Lando Norris believed that Antonelli had proved himself in the junior categories to be deserving of such big leaps in his career in motorsports.
He's proven himself a lot in the junior categories and coming up through. I think it's a big jump to go from F4 to F2, so it's not probably been easy on him, but to go from F2 and then straight to F1, it's a lot.Lando Norris noted
Time will tell about how the entire F1 gig pans out for Kimi Antonelli. The Brackley-based Mercedes is hopeful that the debutant would showcase a similar trajectory to Max Verstappen‘s debut in F1 with Red Bull. Hence, Mercedes will start the preparations to make way for the prodigy in the team after Lewis Hamilton‘s exit.
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Aditya Pandya
(1492 Articles Published)