Kimi Antonelli’s rivals issued warning as Otmar Szafnauer predicts further growth

Former Alpine Formula 1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer believes Kimi Antonelli will become even stronger in his mid-20s.

While the 19-year-old became the youngest driver in the history of F1 to lead the championship at the Japanese Grand Prix, Szafnauer argued that the best is yet to come from Antonelli. 

The Italian driver has drawn the attention of the paddock with an incredible start to the season. So far this season, Antonelli has claimed consecutive wins at the Chinese, Japanese and Miami Grands Prix, the latter of which extended his lead over his team-mate George Russell to 20 points. 

"So, I think he is a great driver," former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley said on the High Performance Racing podcast, which he hosts alongside Szafnauer and Jake Humphrey.

"I think he is a huge talent. Whether or not he can win world championships, I don't know. You've got to wait and see. There are too many things that he hasn't done yet and doesn't know how to do."

George Russell, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Szafnauer said: "Not wrong. I think he's great and has got the potential to be world-class in time," before adding: "He's a teenager and with time, physiologically, he's going to get mentally stronger because all the different compartments and areas of your brain connect.

"And I'm not sure those connections can have a shortcut. I think it just takes time. So I think by the time he gets to 25, 26, you'll see an even better Kimi Antonelli. Now George is a great driver, and too can become world champion. But Kimi, younger, less experienced, is a great driver."

The Canadian Grand Prix will resume the 2026 season on 22-24 May. Russell's previous success at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will be another test for Antonelli as the Briton looks to reclaim momentum in the championship.