Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has shot down comparisons between Ayrton Senna and Kimi Antonelli, claiming that the young Italian driver is more like MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi.
Antonelli has firmly placed himself in the drivers’ title fight after the first three rounds of the season. He took the lead in the championship, becoming the youngest driver to do so, after back-to-back wins at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.
With his impressive start to the season, Antonelli has become one of the most talked about drivers in the paddock, with some comparing him to a young Senna.
During an episode of the Up To Speed podcast, Coulthard argued against these claims.
“It seems to me he’s more like a Valentino Rossi. For those who don’t watch MotoGP, Valentino Rossi was a generational rider, but almost like a boy man up until today. He races GTs now. I believe he does Le Mans, things like that.
“So, he’s transitioned from two wheels onto four, but he still feels like Peter Pan, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Kimi Antonelli is the sort of Peter Pan of his generation.”
Coulthard’s co-host and former F1 TV presenter Will Buxton disagreed with the former Red Bull driver, adding: “But Rossi was punk, Rossi was punk rock. He came in, shaved head, pierced ears, like Rossi was a force and had a huge personality that you couldn’t escape.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
“Even before he made it to the highest ranks of motorbike racing, as he was coming through the junior categories, he was this bubbling, on fire personality. And Kimi is so much more shy than Valentino.
“I can’t imagine Kimi speaking out against the championship. Whereas with Valentino, there was always the potential for him to just be wild and off the cuff, and that’s why people loved him. That’s why they fell in love with him, because he was so unique and personable. I’m not saying Kimi isn’t personable, he’s absolutely lovely. I think a totally different personality.”
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