Kimi Antonelli can win F1 title thanks to key attribute as he eyes breaking Lewis Hamilton record

Mercedes teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli has been backed to reach the same historic heights as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The 19-year-old has taken the world of Formula 1 by storm in his sophomore season, completely defying his lack of experience.

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When the Italian secured his fifth consecutive win around the streets of Monte Carlo, he officially equalled Lewis Hamilton‘s record for Silver Arrows consecutive wins.

Antonelli became the youngest-ever Monaco Grand Prix race winner, and had already secured victory in China, Japan, Miami, and Canada prior.

And victory in Barcelona would see him smash that Hamilton record and confirm himself as the title frontrunner.

Speaking exclusively about the rapid rise of the sport’s newest star, Williams reserve driver Luke Browning told talkSPORT that the Italian pilot’s maturity is the driving force behind his dominance.

And it’s giving him, and the next generation of drivers, the ultimate confidence boost.

The Hamilton standard

The 24-year-old was a Formula 2 rival of Antonelli and he believes the teenager’s current evolution this season has shown why he belongs at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Asked if Antonelli could win the title, Browning said: “Why not? He’s looking very mature this year, especially in the last couple of races.

“He’s won five on the bounce now which matches Hamilton’s record for consecutive races [with Mercedes].

“It’s incredible in his second year of Formula 1. It’s great, I love to see it, I have absolutely no resentment towards what he’s doing in the car.

“It’s great to see young people doing well in the sport and following their passion and I want to replicate that as soon as I get into the seat.”

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And Browning, pointing towards other prodigies in the sport, including Gabriel Bortoleto, feels the next generation’s success could help his case for a Formula 1 drive.

He noted: “You look how well Gabriel Bortoleto did last year, it was incredible. Hulkenberg was one of the best qualifiers in the sport and in his first two races Gabriel out-qualified him in his first year.

“It was just an incredible thing he did and there’s a real crop of our generation who were super quick and very competitive in F2 and F3.

“It shows me how my generation is F1 worthy and hopefully it puts some confidence in me by the people making decisions to know that I’m ready. 

The Williams wait

Preparing for his call-up, Browning currently competes in the Super Formula Championship which is the second fastest single-seater series under Formula 1.

He is eager to emulate his former Formula 2 rivals such as Oliver Bearman, Franco Colapinto, and Antonelli.

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He added: “I just want to be the right choice for Williams, and if that’s not now, then it’s not now.

“I think the point I’m ready and I will be chosen for the seat will be for James Vowles and the people around me to decide from what they see on simulators and practice sessions.

“Things quickly change in this sport and everyone’s memory is very, very short.”