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Jolyon Palmer has claimed that Kimi Antonelli could soon stop ‘playing with fire’ once he realises the ‘consequences’.
Antonelli, 19, has enjoyed a flying start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, as he currently sits top of the world championship standings.
Despite being up against a much more experienced teammate in George Russell, the young Italian has produced some stellar performances.
Last weekend, Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix, extending his lead to 43 points. Russell was forced to retire on Lap 30 after a power unit failure.
The Mercedes pair also went wheel-to-wheel for the first time this season during the Sprint, with Antonelli getting a telling off from Toto Wolff.
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Jolyon Palmer says Kimi Antonelli will soon lower his level of ‘risk-taking’
Reflecting on the action that unfolded in Montreal, ex-F1 driver Palmer has claimed that although Antonelli has impressed, his ‘risk-taking’ could soon drop once he realises the ‘consequences’.
In his column on the official F1 website, Palmer wrote: “I thought Antonelli was superb in Montreal. I loved his youthful exuberance on a punishing track where so many greats have crashed out.
“His level of risk-taking was perhaps at a level we won’t see from him soon, once he realises the potential consequences.
“He was over the grass three times in the Sprint and playing with fire around the outside of George as well in the Grand Prix. His confidence was brimming, and I loved his battling spirit; it made for an incredible, entertaining duel.”
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Jolyon Palmer thinks there is an ‘unfair expectation’ on George Russell
Heading into the 2026 season, many people felt Russell would ease to a maiden world title due to Mercedes’ dominance and Antonelli’s lack of experience.
However, the Brit is now truly under immense pressure to turn his own fortunes around with the momentum firmly on Antonelli’s side.
Palmer, though, feels Russell is facing ‘unfair expectation’ just like Lando Norris did last season.
He continued: “Whilst George will be gutted, when the dust settles, he’ll recognise that there were still plenty of reasons for him to leave Montreal with his head held high.
“There’s a natural, yet almost unfair expectation on George right now – similar to that which Lando Norris had early last year.
“When you take a step back and judge George’s race weekend on its merits, it was almost faultless and exactly what he needed. What makes his life a bit harder is that expectation.”
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