Championship leader Antonelli opens up on fame's pressures ahead of Belgian GP

Kimi Antonelli has acknowledged the personal cost of his rapid rise to the top of Formula 1, admitting ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix that fame sometimes makes everyday life difficult. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver currently leads the drivers’ championship by 25 points over team-mate George Russell and is only in his second season in the sport.

Speaking at the drivers’ press conference in Spa, Antonelli was asked how he manages the growing attention in his home country. He welcomed the passion of Italian supporters but was candid about the trade-offs.

“It’s great to see the support when I go back home,” Antonelli said. “As Italians, we’re quite emotional. We show our emotions a lot. So to see the excitement is great. However, you also need to be careful with the expectations that are built.”

On the question of recognition, he was equally measured. “There are times when you would like not to be recognised when you do certain things, when you go for dinner. But that’s also part of being an athlete. As long as you’re able to embrace these moments, I think it’s also very nice and very enjoyable. But, of course, there are times when I would like to be unrecognised. At the same time, I know it’s part of it, and I’m very happy this way.”

Antonelli’s public profile has grown sharply since he became the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 standings, a milestone he reached following back-to-back victories at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix earlier this season. He added further wins in Miami, Canada, and Monaco to cement his position at the top of the table.

His recent form has been more mixed, however. A retirement at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix was followed by a third-place finish in Austria and a 15th-place result in Britain, meaning he has not stood on the top step of the podium since Monte Carlo.

With the Belgian Grand Prix weekend now underway, Antonelli will be looking to rediscover the winning rhythm that made him the story of the season’s opening phase.