NASCAR Cup driver Connor Zilisch, 19, said he always could see Kimi Antonelli moving into Formula One after racing karts together.
The two grew up racing go-karts together, with the American driver spending summers in Europe gaining experience in other forms of racing. during an appearance gypsy story Speaking on the podcast, the Trackhouse Racing driver explained that Antonelli is “one of the best drivers” he’s ever raced against.
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“I spent a lot of time in Europe. It was the coolest time of my life. I went to Europe when I was 11, 12, 13, 14 years old. I spent a few summers there when I wasn’t in school. I would go there for three months at a time and compete against guys like Kimi Antonelli.
“I spent three or four years racing against him. I always knew he was going to get into F1. I always knew. He was one of the best drivers, one of the top three drivers I’ve ever raced against, in terms of talent. So I always knew he was one of the guys who could make it happen, and then someone like Arvid Lindblad, who was going to race for VCARB.
“It’s crazy to see them go on and do F1 races and stuff like that. But karting is a cool sport. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those days and months I spent in Europe, without my parents, growing up, I would ride my bike and go to dinner by myself. Those were some of the coolest days of my life and I didn’t realize how cool it was.
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“My memory of it, looking back now, is that I grew up and learned a lot and matured. Looking back, those were definitely the coolest days I’ve ever experienced.”
Connor Zilisch, Chevrolet Track Racing
Connor Zilisch, Chevrolet Track Racing
Asked what he thought of Antonelli, who is entering his second F1 season with Mercedes, Zilisch added: “Whatever his set-up, whatever the track is, whatever the conditions, he always perseveres and is always on top.
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“He’s one of those guys who, no matter what the situation is, whether it’s practice or a warm-up or whatever, he’s always out front. He can get the most out of his kart.
“It’s funny, I have a story. He came to America to race. He was in Miami for a race and one of my best friends was his teammate and he and his dad thought it was all his engine. So he and Kimi were teammates and Kimi swapped engines with him because the kid was like ‘Man, this must be his engine.’
“So Kimi did switch motors with this kid. Kimi was going faster and he was slowing down, and it’s just one of those situations where you don’t realize how much of a difference he actually makes until you do something like this.
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“You just assume it’s an equipment problem, and then he’s like, ‘Okay, let’s switch.'” They switched positions, Kimi going faster. I always point this out when I think of Kimi. He made the most of everything he was given. “
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