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Damon Hill disagrees with Jolyon Palmer about Kimi Antonelli’s approach to the 2026 Formula 1 title fight.
Heading into this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, 19-year-old Antonelli leads Mercedes teammate George Russell by 43 points.
Russell was many people’s favourite to win the 2026 world title, but Antonelli managed to reel off four victories in a row to put himself in a commanding position.
In truth, Antonelli was helped by Russell’s retirement at the Canadian Grand Prix, after his power unit failed on Lap 30.
How ‘lucky’ has Kimi Antonelli been so far this season?
Damon Hill disagrees with Jolyon Palmer about Kimi Antonelli’s approach
Speaking recently on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, 1996 world champion Hill and ex-F1 driver Palmer were discussing how Antonelli should approach races from now on.
Hill, who drove for teams like Brabham, Williams, Arrows and Jordan, stated that Antonelli has ‘nothing to lose’.
However, former Renault driver Palmer disagreed, claiming that Antonelli’s 43-point lead means he definitely has something to lose.
Hill began: “I think like everyone, we have been a bit stunned, quite honestly. He’s been really on the pace, and he’s seemed to have tidied up his driving.
“Risk-taking, a few heart-in-mouth moments, but he managed to keep it clean. He’s got nothing to lose; he’s got nothing to lose; he comes here to Monaco with a points advantage.”
Palmer then said: “Now, I feel like he has got something to lose, though. Because he’s got a 43 point advantage so I feel like he’s had low expectations. George has been the driver; we crowned him, didn’t we, in December.
“Mercedes with this unbelievable car, George was naturally going to be the guy that moves up and takes the title, but Kimi has suddenly got this turn of pace and consistency, and he’s got tenacity.
“But now, I do think he’s got something to lose cause now there is a realistic shot that he can win the title.”
Are Kimi Antonelli’s F1 title chances higher or lower than 70%?
READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer has seen something very rare from Kimi Antonelli that will ‘come back to bite’
Following the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell stated that the 2026 F1 world title is Antonelli’s ‘to lose’ due to his points advantage.
However, Antonelli doesn’t agree; as per La Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: “When I read George’s comment after the race in Montreal, saying that now all I can do is lose this championship, I smiled a little.
“Because talking about these things so early makes no sense. If you think about it, in the end, how can you lose something you don’t have? I didn’t win the championship, so what do I have to lose?”
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