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Ralf Schumacher has responded to Martin Brundle’s comparison of Kimi Antonelli and Michael Schumacher, highlighting how it is unfair for the 19-year-old to be compared to a seven-time world champion.
Kimi Antonelli had a career-defining weekend in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix. Not only did he become the youngest ever pole-sitter in F1 with his efforts on Saturday, but he also etched his name into the history books as the second youngest race winner on the following day.
The victory saw him sit just behind Max Verstappen in the all-time list, taking the first step of becoming one of F1’s greats by inserting himself alongside the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.
Kimi Antonelli’s win in Shanghai makes him the second youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history. Will Max Verstappen’s record ever be broken?!
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George Russell completed a Mercedes one-two for the second consecutive week to kick off the new F1 campaign, which looks set to end with a Silver Arrow conquering the world championship.
While it was Russell who took the glory at Melbourne’s season-opener, Antonelli also put up a dazzling performance in the new crop of F1 cars. The young Italian’s efforts in qualifying particularly caught the eye of Martin Brundle.
After immediately regaining confidence from a shunt in FP3 to qualify on the front row of the grid, Brundle hailed Antonelli for a ‘world-class’ performance, likening him to Michael Schumacher.
- READ MORE: Luca di Montezemolo thinks Kimi Antonelli was ‘uncharacteristic of an Italian’ in his Chinese GP win
Ralf Schumacher explains why Martin Brundle’s comparison of Kimi Antonelli with Michael Schumacher isn’t ‘fair’
In a recent episode of the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, former F1 driver and brother to the seven-time world champion, Ralf Schumacher, explained why Brundle’s comparison isn’t entirely fair on the 19-year-old.
After F1 journalist Peter Hardenacke asked the six-time Grand Prix winner if he agreed with Brundle’s comparison, Schumacher replied, “Well, I’d say he’s certainly a special racing driver. Of course, it took him a while to get there; we mustn’t forget that.
“Last year was a period when the car wasn’t that demanding – it was easy to drive, whereas it had struggled before. After that, though, he really picked up the pace.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to put him under pressure now and really compare him to a seven-time world champion who’s also had a unique career. I don’t think that would be entirely fair at this stage. But I do believe he’s something quite special and has a great future ahead of him.
True or false: Kimi Antonelli proved he can fight for the 2026 F1 title with his recovery in qualifying for the Australian GP?
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“That’s the way it is. So in this case, you have to give huge credit to everyone around him, especially Toto Wolff, who basically took him under his wing when he was just eleven.
“But also his race engineer, Bono, who has simply incredible experience and started from scratch again, moving from a seven-time world champion to a youngster, and managed to pull it off – and it was particularly emotional, I felt, for Toto too.”
- READ MORE: Toto Wolff has already hinted at his choice from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in a title fight
Toto Wolff has asked Italian journalists to refrain from adding pressure to Kimi Antonelli’s shoulders
Schumacher’s reference to the pressure that Brundle’s verdict may have on Antonelli is certainly something that Wolff and co must be careful of.
During his rookie campaign last year, Wolff noted how Antonelli had been dealing with ‘enormous’ amounts of pressure due to his status as Italy’s only representative on the F1 grid, and the fact that he stepped into Lewis Hamilton’s shoes at Brackley.
It was also clear that on some race weekends, the pressure affected the Mercedes driver’s performances.
Following Antonelli’s appearance on the top step of the podium in Shanghai, Wolff asserted that his staff must not put extra pressure on the 19-year-old, and it has also been reported that the Mercedes boss has requested that Italian journalists not sensationalise their latest star.
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