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Antonelli says doubters “added fuel to the fire” in his world championship pursuit | Formula 1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has claimed the Formula 1 world title with four races remaining, securing the crown with a record-high nine Grand Prix victories. The 18-year-old Mercedes driver stated that early skepticism regarding his readiness for the top tier actually motivated him to prove his critics wrong.

Antonelli acknowledged that his debut season was challenging, including a stretch where he failed to score points in seven of nine rounds, but he believes those difficult experiences accelerated his development. He noted that joining a top-tier team immediately placed him under intense scrutiny, which he credits for his rapid growth compared to a potential path through a smaller outfit.

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