Kimi Antonelli’s start to life as a Mercedes Formula 1 driver has been solid as he bids to find his feet in the sport.
The 18-year-old staged a terrific comeback at the season-opener in Melbourne and recovered from a debut Q1 exit to points for Mercedes.
Antonelli’s following race in Shanghai was unfortunate as his race was ruined on lap one by floor damage sustained from debris.
He sat fifth in the drivers’ championship heading into the Japanese Grand Prix and showed some great pace throughout the race.
Antonelli was ‘really surprised’ by George Russell during their first weekend as teammates. His performance in practice was spectacular.
Toto Wolff warned Antonelli after his Australian Grand Prix debut and realises that there are a few things for his rookie to learn.
READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli did something ‘unusual’ for an F1 driver during his Mercedes debut, fans loved it
Kimi Antonelli breaks Max Verstappen’s youngest leader record at the Japanese Grand Prix
Antonelli did something ‘unusual’ during his Mercedes debut and greeted fans ahead of his first race. He made an extra effort which will have gone down well with the Australian folk.
After starting from sixth in Japan, he held his position well and conditioned his Pirelli tyres to last throughout the race.
Eventually, it resulted in him leading a Formula 1 race. It meant that he became the youngest driver to lead a lap in the sport’s history, ahead of Max Verstappen.
18 years, 7 months and 12 days was enough to claim a record which may stand tall for quite a long time, depending on the next crop of talent.
Most impressively, he came home in sixth place just behind teammate George Russell, proving that he can keep pace with his closest rival.
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The other Formula 1 record could Kimi Antonelli break soon
There are yet more records up for grabs for Antonelli, including the youngest race winner in the sport’s history.
He has just two more races to claim the feat. He’s already the third-youngest to compete in an event behind Verstappen and Lance Stroll.
Antonelli found Suzuka ‘scary’ in the simulator but soon adjusted to his surroundings on the track. His maturity at such a young age has been impressive.
The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix is a far more familiar landmark for him, having completed pre-season testing there in February.
Maybe he even has an advantage for the first time this season, which could help him earn his first podium under the lights.
