Schumacher: Antonelli Needs Time, Not a New Verstappen
Summary
Ralf Schumacher urges patience for Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli, cautioning against comparisons to Max Verstappen and stressing the need for development time.
Ralf Schumacher dampens expectations around Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli, stating the 17-year-old is not the "new Max Verstappen" and requires more time to develop.
Why it matters
Antonelli, long touted as a top talent, has faced a challenging start in Formula 1, leading to calls for patience from within the sport.
The bigger picture
- Over-hyped expectations: Schumacher believes Antonelli has been "hyped too much" since an early age under Toto Wolff's mentorship, creating immense pressure before his official F1 debut.
- Verstappen's advantage: Max Verstappen entered F1 early but benefited from extensive testing opportunities, a luxury not afforded to today's rookies.
- Rookie development curve: Former AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost famously stated rookies need three years to adapt, making harsh judgments too early unfair.
- Current challenges: The lack of testing and Mercedes' car development issues (especially the rear axle) further complicate a young driver's adaptation.
Antonelli's profile
- A "learner": Schumacher, echoing Jacques Villeneuve, describes Antonelli as a "learner" – a driver who approaches things systematically and needs more time to unlock his full potential.
- Lando Norris's example: Lando Norris, despite significant testing, took time to compete with his teammate, especially in races, demonstrating that even top talents need time.
What's next
Schumacher is confident that if Mercedes provides Antonelli with the necessary time, he will play a significant role in F1's future.
Original Article :https://f1-insider.com/formel-1-schumacher-verstappen-antonelli-69693/