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Motorsport

Lydia Mee

Kimi Antonelli details Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen support in F1 rise

Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen Kimi Antonelli Andrea Kimi Antonelli George Russell F1 Mercedes

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli has spoken out about the support he has received from Formula 1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

The 19-year-old driver, in his second year in the championship, currently leads the drivers' championship by 66 points over Hamilton. His dominant start to the season, which has included five consecutive grand prix victories, has placed him firmly in the championship fight.

Speaking during the drivers' press conference in Barcelona, Antonelli was asked whether Hamilton and Verstappen had offered any specific tips on how to beat his experienced team-mate George Russell, and was also asked about their support in general.

"No, we haven't talked specifically about that. Well, Max, his latest advice was to wait for the red light to go off and wait one second," he joked. "Then unfortunately, yeah, he had the PU issue, but that was his latest advice, which obviously was a joke.

"But no, we haven't talked specifically about that. We talk about a lot of stuff, but not so much about that. He just said to keep doing what I'm doing, keep enjoying, keep being myself, and then the results will come.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing (Photo by: Maya Dehlin Spach / LAT Images via Getty Images)

"It's been many drivers, but also, as we're talking specifically about Max and Lewis, they've been very kind as well since I've joined the sport, and they seem to be very supportive as well.

"It's great to see, it's great to witness on my side. But they also don't want to, I mean, we're still competitors at the end of the day, so you still don't want to give too much advice. But yeah, it's been fun, the relationship with them."

After winning the Chinese, Japanese, Miami, Canadian and Monaco Grands Prix, Antonelli leads the championship. Hamilton overtook Russell for second in Monaco and sits 66 points behind the Italian. Russell follows in third, two points behind his former team-mate.

Photos from Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

52 Formula 1

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Dino Beganovic, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Dino Beganovic, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Frederik Vesti, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Jean Todt, former FIA President

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Dino Beganovic, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Paul Aron, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Ayumu Iwasa, Oracle Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Cadillac car tech detail

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Racing Bulls car tech detail

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Steve Nielsen, Managing Director, Alpine F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Audi F1 Team with Marc Marquez.

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Marc Marquez in the Audi F1 Team R26 in the garage.

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Marc Marquez

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Flavy Barla arrives in the paddock.

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Friday

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