Joe Dunn on Formula 1's summer shutdown and Kimi Antonelli's remarkable rise

Like everything in Formula 1 these days the summer break – a period of rest and relaxation for teams and drivers – has strict rules and regulations attached to it. The break is not voluntary: no grands prix, of course. But also no wind tunnels, no car development, no late-night simulator runs.

With written permission from the FIA there are some activities that are not considered a breach of the summer shutdown rules. Teams may repair cars that were “seriously damaged” in the race immediately preceding the shutdown period and they are also allowed to assemble, service and run show cars (but not with current car parts). But generally this is a period of reflection designed to allow the teams and drivers to catch their breath away from the intense pressure of the season. This year it is probably fair to say that it is also allowing the FIA itself some respite from the storm of questions surrounding its new engine regulations which dominated the start of the season and which are still not satisfactorily answered in what has been a fascinating and controversial start to F1’s new era.

Out on track and despite the anomalies inherent in the new regs we have seen the competitive order emerge with Mercedes and Ferrari leading the field, McLaren and Red Bull off the pace and a haunted-looking Aston Martin trailing some way behind. How this plays out in the second half of the season starting on August 23 at Zandvoort and culminating on December 6 in Abu Dhabi will be riveting to watch. But for now there is one undeniable ’story’ of the year: the emergence of a 19-year-old from Bologna as an extraordinary new talent and genuine title contender, if not title favourite, in only his second season in F1.

“With Kimi, I saw almost from day one that I was dealing with a different kid”

Kimi Antonelli’s rise has been swift but as Edd Straw has discovered in his brilliant feature on page 46, it was predicted by those who worked closely with him while he rose through the junior ranks. Edd tracked down Gwen Lagrue, the Mercedes driver development coach. “I received a couple of phone calls and people mentioned his name, but obviously I get a hundred calls a week saying, ‘We found the new Ayrton Senna,’” Lagrue told Edd. “With Kimi, I saw almost from day one that I was dealing with a different kid.”

He’s certainly a different kid. And come December, revitalised after a summer break, he may also be the youngest ever world champion.

Joe Dunn, editor
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