Kimi Antonelli has admitted there are times he wishes he wasn't famous to enjoy a greater sense of privacy.
The Italian has been thrust into the F1 spotlight this year, his second in the series, as he has established himself as the leading candidate for the championship.
At the summer break, Antonelli holds a 50-point advantage in the drivers' standings having taken six wins in the opening half of the year.
It marks a significant step forward compared to his form as a rookie in 2025, when he often struggled to finish inside the points.
His boost in pace has come with a rise in recognition, especially in his home nation of Italy.
“It’s great to see the support when I go back home,” Antonelli told media including RacingNews365.
“Also because, as Italians, we’re quite emotional. We show our emotions a lot. So to see the excitement is great.”
Throughout the early phase of the year, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff called for calm over the attention Antonelli was getting, especially when he was being compared to F1 legends amid his run of five consecutive victories.
Antonelli has also recognised the need for soothing expectations, despite being grateful for the support he has received.
“However, you also need to be careful with the expectations that are built,” he said. “But it’s always great to be back home, especially after a good weekend, to see so much support.
“Also, to the other question of being famous, for sure there are times where you would like not to be recognised when you do certain things, when you go for dinner. But that’s also part of being an athlete.
“To be fair, as long as you’re able to embrace these moments, I think it’s also very nice and very enjoyable. But, of course, there are times where I would like to be unrecognised. At the same time, I know it’s part of it, and I’m very happy this way.”
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