Fitipaldi praises 20-year-old Antonelli and backs F1 return to Argentina

Brazilian driver Emerson Fittipaldi, a two-time Formula 1 (F1, the top single-seater racing series) world champion, has welcomed the success of 20-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli, who drives for Mercedes, won the world title this season and now tops the list of the youngest champions. Speaking to Reuters on Saturday at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Fittipaldi said the rise of younger champions reflects the sport's development.

Record and the new generation

Fittipaldi became the youngest champion of all time in 1972 at the age of 25. He held the record until 2005, when Fernando Alonso, then 24, surpassed it. Following Antonelli's title, Fittipaldi is no longer among the five youngest champions. The list now consists of Antonelli, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Alonso and Max Verstappen.

Fittipaldi noted that today children begin in sport at six, five or even four years old. Antonelli was introduced to karting by his father at the age of five; he later raced in the Formula 2 championship and made his F1 debut last year. Fittipaldi himself started karting at 17 and became a champion eight years later. He won his titles in 1972 with Lotus and in 1974 with McLaren.

Fittipaldi cited Antonelli's victory at Monza, where the Italian started from 19th place, as proof of his maturity. Antonelli himself called that race one of the decisive moments on his way to the title, as an engine-change penalty forced him to start from the back of the grid.

Latin America and Argentina

Fittipaldi supports a stronger F1 presence in Latin America, including Argentina returning to the calendar alongside Brazil and Mexico. Next week he will travel to Argentina to view reconstruction work at the Oscar y Juan Galvez circuit in Buenos Aires, where F1 last raced in 1998. It was announced on Saturday that São Paulo has secured its place on the calendar until 2035.