Jacques Villeneuve warns Kimi Antonelli not to 'believe his own hype' amid F1 title battle
Jacques Villeneuve has warned championship leader Kimi Antonelli to stay grounded and composed as he faces the pressure of his first F1 title battle
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has warned Kimi Antonelli against buying into his own hype and to keep his cool in his first championship battle.
The Italian driver, who is in his second season of F1, currently tops the championship with a 43-point lead over his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in second.
Speaking on the F1 post-race show following the tense Canadian Grand Prix, Villeneuve, who won the drivers' championship in only his second season in 1997, offered some advice for the 19-year-old.
"He needs to keep his head cool, not start believing too much in his own hype," he said. "That's a very dangerous thing to do. When you think that you're untouchable, that's when mistakes happen, and you have a DNF, like [Russell] today, or you have an accident, you lose 25 points, the gap changes a lot, and suddenly you start doubting yourself.
"So that is the big risk. Right now, he's driving on the edge every lap, and to the point where you think, 'Wow, he's keeping it on the track,' things go well, things go right. It won't always be like this. So, how will he react when one thing goes wrong? That will be the key thing.
Jacques Villeneuve, former racing driver, walks in the paddock.
Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images
"But right now, he is quicker than George. He's got him covered. What's important for the team is that George wakes up a little bit and starts believing in himself again."
When asked if Antonelli will be thinking of the championship, the Canadian added: "Of course. A season is a roller coaster. There's a period where everything goes well, and suddenly something goes wrong.
"A race or two, you go beyond. That's the danger. And people think, 'Oh, you won't win it anymore.' And then the other guy starts believing it, and it's a roller coaster. So, we'll see how it goes."
Photos from Canadian GP - Sunday
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Canadian GP - Sunday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
Susie Wolff explains why F1 Academy cannot be a "charity project" as series grows
Red Bull's Austrian GP upgrade package compared to "B-spec" F1 car by former mechanic
Arvid Lindblad reveals emotional hand-drawn helmet for first F1 British GP
Jacques Villeneuve calls on Ferrari to favour Lewis Hamilton – but will it happen?
Jacques Villeneuve warns Red Bull has "lost its sparkle" and faces "tough" rebuild process
Ferrari told to prioritise Lewis Hamilton for chance at 2026 F1 title
George Russell resorted to "abnormal" driving style to win F1 Austrian GP
Mercedes boss questions how Ferrari can afford "limitless" F1 upgrades
George Russell claimed a much-needed win in Austria, but could Max Verstappen - or Kimi Antonelli - have won?
Video: Noah Gragson retaliates against Cody Ware; Todd Gilliland vs. 23XI at Sonoma
Trackhouse crew chief says they were 'lucky' to have Van Gisbergen against faster JGR car
Susie Wolff explains why F1 Academy cannot be a "charity project" as series grows
Red Bull's Austrian GP upgrade package compared to "B-spec" F1 car by former mechanic
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
Why F1's engine-upgrade picture is becoming ever more ludicrous
George Russell claimed a much-needed win in Austria, but could Max Verstappen - or Kimi Antonelli - have won?
What were Antonelli’s chances of starting on the front row in Austria without his yellow-flag blunder?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments