Jacques Villeneuve has criticized Kimi Antonelli for his overtaking attempt on Charles Leclerc during the Dutch Grand Prix, describing the maneuver as amateurish. The 1997 world champion condemned the move that resulted in a collision on lap 53 at Zandvoort, highlighting its recklessness at this stage of the season.
During a close wheel-to-wheel battle, Antonelli tried to pass Leclerc on the banked turn three but ended up crashing into the Ferrari driver. This clash ended Leclerc’s race and drew widespread criticism towards the 19-year-old Italian, who was penalized with a 10-second time penalty and finished in 16th place as a result.
Villeneuve expressed his disbelief on the nature of the overtake, saying,
“On what planet did he think he was going to make the corner and not run into Leclerc? That’s why I said that’s not an F1 move, that’s not a racing driver move. That’s a very amateur move. Maybe if this were the first race of the season, but not halfway through it.”
—Jacques Villeneuve, Former World Champion
Antonelli’s struggles have been apparent throughout the season since his podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix. Apart from one points finish in Hungary, the young driver has faced a difficult run, marked by inconsistency and multiple incidents on track.
Team Principal Toto Wolff Offers Support Despite Setbacks
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended Antonelli amid the criticism surrounding the Zandvoort collision. Wolff stressed that the 19-year-old is still learning as a rookie, and the team expected moments of errors alongside flashes of strong performance under their 2024 contract agreement.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Wolff noted,
“When we made it clear last year in Monza that we would give him the opportunity, it was also saying that we would give him a year of learning, and there would be moments where we’d tear our hair out and there would be other moments of brilliance.
“I think this weekend pretty much sums that up. We want him to go for the moves.”
—Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal
Antonelli’s 2025 campaign has been riddled with four DNFs and several collisions, reflecting the challenges of his debut season. Despite these setbacks, the young Italian remains focused on improving his consistency and aims to deliver a cleaner performance in the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
What This Means for Antonelli and His Season Ahead
The criticism from a former champion like Villeneuve highlights the high expectations and pressures faced by Kimi Antonelli as he navigates his rookie season. While his aggressive driving style shows promise, repeated incidents raise concerns about his maturity and decision-making on track.
Mercedes’ backing, expressed through Wolff’s comments, indicates the team’s long-term investment in Antonelli’s development despite the current frustrations. How Antonelli responds in the next races, especially in his home race at Monza, will be critical in shaping his future prospects within the sport.
The Dutch Grand Prix incident serves as a reminder of the fine line rookie drivers must walk between ambition and caution, with several eyes watching to see if Antonelli can turn his potential into consistent results without costly mistakes.
