There was an element of good fortune for Kimi Antonelli in taking victory at the Japanese Grand Prix but the youngster demonstrated emphatically that he is ready to close out with the precision of a veteran if given a sniff of a chance. It is a champion’s trait which was suitably marked, as in so doing the 19-year-old has became the youngest driver to lead the Formula One world championship.
Antonelli, still a fresh-faced youth, whooped and hollered with abandon when he took the flag, having claimed the win after dropping from pole to sixth at the start. His sheer unrestrained joy at delivering on his undoubted talent and the pleasure he clearly revels in when competing are positively infectious. After his two successive wins, Formula One not only has a new star to celebrate but one who has staked his claim to be considered a potential champion.
