Jacques Villeneuve Questions Kimi Antonelli's F1 Readiness After Dutch GP Penalties

Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has intensified his criticism of Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli, suggesting that Formula 1 might be "too much for him" after the 19-year-old received two penalties at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Why it matters

Antonelli is a highly touted prospect linked to a future Mercedes seat. These incidents, combined with strong public criticism from a respected F1 figure like Villeneuve, raise questions about his immediate readiness and composure under pressure.

The incidents

Antonelli's race was marred by two significant infractions:

• Collision with Charles Leclerc: He received a 10-second penalty for crashing into Charles Leclerc's Ferrari at Turn 3, forcing the Monegasque driver to retire. Stewards noted Antonelli's "understeer into the side of Car 16" and deemed him "wholly and predominantly to blame."
• Pitlane speeding: After returning to the pits, Antonelli was handed an additional five-second penalty for exceeding the pitlane speed limit.

Villeneuve's assessment

Villeneuve's comments to Sky Sports F1 were uncompromising:

• He described the collision as a "very poor" move, reminiscent of junior categories, not F1.
• "It was just badly calculated. He shouldn't have done that. And then he got all riled up and [exceeded the] speed limit as well. Maybe F1 is just too much for him."
• Dismissing Antonelli's age (19) as an excuse, Villeneuve highlighted Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton's early F1 successes, stating, "That's not a good excuse."
• He criticized Antonelli's judgment for attempting an overtake from two car lengths behind, citing track characteristics that make such a move unlikely to succeed.

Looking ahead

This latest critique follows Villeneuve's earlier remarks at Zandvoort qualifying, where he emphasized that drivers should "arrive in F1 ready." As Antonelli continues his F1 journey, the scrutiny on his performance and decision-making will only intensify, particularly given the high expectations surrounding his potential future at Mercedes.