McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has hailed the impact Kimi Antonelli has had this year, stating he is an “asset for F1”.

Antonelli joined the F1 grid last year as a rookie driver but often struggled for form alongside his more experienced team-mate George Russell.

However, the Italian has taken a notable step forward this year with eight grands prix wins, leaving him with a sizeable lead in the drivers’ championship.

With an 81-point advantage, Antonelli is seen as the favourite for the title as the campaign approaches its final third.

When asked if he has any advice for Antonelli, Stella told media including RacingNews365: “I would give him the wrong advice because we are chasing him! 

“I care about Andrea Kimi, first of all, because he’s an asset for F1. He’s doing so well. 

“Deservedly, he’s leading the drivers’ championship and, honestly, every time I hear from him, I see him, his stance, to me it looks like he’s growing day by day. 

“So, he knows very well what to do. I’m sure he will keep this attitude, this speed, this consistency that he has expressed so far in the championship, and it will be a very difficult one to chase.”

Antonelli ‘taking fans away from Ferrari’

Despite having a rich history with F1, Italy has been starved of F1 success of late, with Ferrari enduring a title drought that stretches back to 2008.

Alpine boss Flavio Briatore, who, like Stella, is Italian, highlighted that Antonelli has quickly established himself as one of the country’s most recognisable sportsmen.

“In this moment in Italy you have two big names – [Janick] Sinner and Kimi,” he said.

“I think Kimi takes away the fans from Ferrari as well, little by little, because really it’s incredible what he is performing this year. 

“He’s performing incredibly. No mistakes, very strong, very clear and still very, very young. 

“And like Stella said, it’s good for F1 and it’s very good for Italy as well, because to have the potential champion like Kimi is good for the sport, it’s good for the country. 

“And we are lucky we have two super guys, Sinner and Kimi.”