Kimi Antonelli has credited MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi’s advice for helping him navigate the challenges of his first Formula 1 season. Now 18 years old, Antonelli is 12 races into his debut F1 campaign after being named Lewis Hamilton’s replacement alongside George Russell at Mercedes for 2025.
The young Italian has impressed with a sprint race pole and his first podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix but recently faced difficulties during the European segment of the season. Known for his extraordinary talent, Antonelli is widely seen as a future motorsport star, especially in Italy, where Rossi remains a beloved figure.
How Valentino Rossi’s Guidance Influenced Antonelli’s Approach
Antonelli opened up in exclusive interviews with Crash.net and RACER before the Belgian Grand Prix about how Rossi’s experience has supported him through his rookie challenges. The two spent time together early in the year, including a karting session between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.
Discussing his interactions with Rossi, Antonelli said,
“I went to the ranch a couple of times and this year we went karting together. He’s a really cool dude to hang around with. Really funny, really easy guy,”
—Kimi Antonelli
Beyond friendship, Rossi has offered practical advice, especially emphasizing the importance of taking time for oneself. Antonelli explained,
“He’s been giving me advice. Definitely one of them is taking time for myself. He was telling me if I say no sometimes it’s not a problem because at the end of the day there’s so much going on that I have to really prioritise.”
The racer highlighted how Rossi encouraged him to focus on rest and personal well-being to maintain high performance on the track. Antonelli recalled,
“Of course there are activities that are really important to do, but when I can I really need to prioritise time for myself. At the end, I’m the one who is going on track, I’m the one who is driving and I need to feel relaxed, happy and I need to feel that I have good energy.”
This guidance reflects Rossi’s extensive experience in managing the pressures of a demanding racing career. Antonelli said,
“That’s one of the main pieces of advice which is take [time for myself] when I can and take care of myself, because it’s really important.”
—Kimi Antonelli
Adjusting to the Demands of Racing Life with Rossi’s Support
Antonelli admitted to struggles during his home race at Imola, where he qualified 13th but retired after a difficult weekend. Surrounded by family, friends, and even classmates he invited, he felt overwhelmed by the pressures of performing on home turf. Reflecting on that event, Antonelli recognized,
“didn’t manage the energy that well”
—Kimi Antonelli
Since then, the guidance from Rossi has prompted a shift in how Antonelli manages his schedule and energy levels to stay focused throughout the season. Looking ahead, the Italian driver revealed plans to visit the San Marino MotoGP at Misano during the summer break, following the F1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
He described his MotoGP connections, sharing,
“In the summer break definitely, not only with Vale, but also with all of the other riders,”
—Kimi Antonelli
and added,
“I’m lucky to have a good relationship with all of them.”
—Kimi Antonelli
These ties to top riders in motorcycle racing provide Antonelli with a unique support network as he continues to develop in F1 while maintaining his connection to the broader motorsport community.
What This Means for Antonelli’s Future in F1
Antonielli’s rookie season demonstrates the challenges even the most gifted talents face in Formula 1, where managing both racing performance and personal well-being is crucial. Valentino Rossi’s advice to ‘say no’ and prioritize self-care offers a key lesson for sustaining long-term success in such a demanding sport.
As Antonelli gains experience, this balance could enable him to harness his potential and grow into one of the sport’s leading young stars. His established relationships in MotoGP and ongoing mentorship from Rossi reinforce the valuable cross-disciplinary support he receives.
With the remainder of the 2025 season ahead and the next seasons to come, Antonelli’s approach to managing energy and focusing on what matters most will likely shape his path in F1. The motorsport world will be watching closely to see how Rossi’s guidance influences the career of this promising Italian talent.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. Antonelli, an 18-year-old new driver for Mercedes, crashed into Verstappen’s Red Bull after losing control of his brakes on the first lap’s third corner. The collision caused significant damage to both vehicles, forcing them out of the race and hurting Verstappen’s chances at the championship.
Q. Does Kimi Antonelli have photographic memory?
A. Antonelli’s incredible ability to remember lap times impresses Bearman. Rookie Ollie Bearman is amazed by Kimi Antonelli’s skill at recalling his lap times precisely.
Q. Why did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. The Austrian Grand Prix will continue until 2041.
Antonelli explained that he didn’t brake too late. However, when he did brake, he pressed hard and then the rear wheels locked up. Because of this, he couldn’t steer the car. It was too late to avoid the crash as he was going too fast.
Q. How old was Kimi Antonelli when he was in F4?
A. He started racing cars when he was only 15 years old. He quickly earned more titles, winning in both the Italian and ADAC F4 championships by 2022. The following year, he achieved success in the Formula Regional Middle East and European categories as well.