Kimi Antonelli brings school to the track for home F1 debut

IMOLA – Kimi Antonelli has not been able to attend school since he became a Mercedes Formula One driver, so the 18-year-old brought his classmates to the racetrack ahead of his home debut this weekend.

The Bologna-born driver is enjoying staying at home for the race at Imola, a drive east along the Roman Via Emilia, but bracing for plenty of attention as Italy’s sole driver in Ferrari’s backyard.

“We were able to organise this for the school. I think it’s a good way for them to see with their own eyes this world,” he said after his entire class turned up in the paddock on May 15.

“We’ve organised some activities... I’ll show them the car and explain a bit, without going too much into detail. It’s a good way to keep the relationship because I don’t spend much time at home, so I don’t see them often.”

Antonelli still intends to take his Maturita, the Italian high-school diploma exam, and has been working on it.

“I’m trying to study as much as I can, especially in those little moments I have free. I’m getting help from the school as well to try and catch up because I’ve definitely missed a lot of work during this time,” added the rookie.

“But it’s not easy, because that also takes energy and effort. Especially ahead of such an important weekend, it’s really important to manage that side, not to do too much in order to save energy. But whenever I’m home or have a bit of time off, I try to do a little bit and catch up as much as possible.”

Antonelli, who took the place of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton when the Briton moved to Ferrari in January, is the top rookie this season after scoring in five of his six races.

The Italian, who passed his driving test only in January, is already the youngest F1 racer to take a pole position of any sort – in the Miami sprint in May – and set fastest lap and lead a race.

Imola will ratchet up the attention another level, the race also coming after rowdy scenes as local football side Bologna won the Italian Cup on May 14 to secure their first major trophy in 51 years.

“This weekend is going to be emotionally and mentally draining – a home race in front of the Italian fans and my family and friends will be attending,” said Antonelli, who dreams of a first podium.

“Already a normal weekend is very tiring and draining, so this is like double. The fact that I’ve got really good people around me really helps.”

Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly, 29, said it was business as usual at Alpine and he did not recognise reports of chaos that followed recent driver and leadership changes.

Oliver Oakes quit suddenly as team boss last week, for personal reasons after the Miami Grand Prix, with Italian former principal Flavio Briatore taking on the Briton’s responsibilities.

Soon after Oakes left, the team announced Australian rookie Jack Doohan was being dropped for Argentinian reserve Franco Colapinto for at least five races.

“It’s big news, but the business and what we’ve got to do as individuals doesn’t change,” Frenchman Gasly said.

“There is no trouble within the team, there is no disagreement between anyone in the team, the vision and the directions always remain the same as they were before Miami and after Miami.” REUTERS