Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Italian GP, achieved after starting 19th in Monza, earned the young Mercedes driver comparisons to seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.
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The performance caught the attention of 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, who highlighted how Antonelli advanced through the pack during the race. In an interview with Sky Germany, the former Mercedes driver directly compared the Italian to the German: “He just turned 20. It was a historic race. He drove like Michael Schumacher used to drive – coming from behind and cutting through the pack.”
Rosberg then addressed Ralf Schumacher, Michael’s brother, who was also part of the conversation: “Have you said that? Ralf probably already said: ‘Just like Michael.’ But seriously, he passed through the pack perfectly. After the first start, he was already 12th. After the second start, I don’t know – maybe sixth, then fifth, then third. He was there immediately. He did everything perfectly. The speed was there. Truly phenomenal. In just his second year in Formula 1 – it’s unbelievable.”
Ralf Schumacher also considered the comparison to his brother legitimate and emphasized that Antonelli is currently performing better than Russell at this point in the season: “Definitely. What he is doing is genuinely very good, and he is simply performing better than his teammate at the moment.”
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The comparison gains even more weight given Michael Schumacher’s history at Ferrari. Many of the German’s legendary achievements happened alongside a driver widely considered a ‘number two driver,’ a role Rubens Barrichello often played in the Italian team, including yielding position to the German.
Antonelli, however, is in a different situation. On the other side of the garage is Russell, who entered the season considered the favorite for the title after the Italian struggled alongside him last year. Despite this, Antonelli leads by 66 points.
Read more F1: Antonelli makes history in Monza with victory starting from 19th
