Ralf Schumacher: Kimi Antonelli's Canada radio outburst a "step too far" but shows champion material

Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports Germany analyst Ralf Schumacher has branded Kimi Antonelli’s Canadian Grand Prix sprint race radio outburst as “one step too far”, but insists that such fiery behaviour is essential for a future world champion.

Antonelli argued that his Mercedes team-mate George Russell had forced him off the track as the Italian attempted an overtake around the outside on lap six. The 19-year-old, who became the youngest driver to lead the championship after the Japanese Grand Prix, fumed over the team radio.

“That was very naughty,” he said, before adding, “He pushed me off!”

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff warned Antonelli at the time, “Kimi, concentrate on the driving, please, not on the radio moaning.”

After crossing the line in third, Antonelli added over the team radio, “If we need to race like this, that’s good to know!” Wolff responded once again, saying firmly: “Kimi now is not the time to talk about this. We talk about this internally and not on the radio, OK?”

While speaking on Sky Sports Germany after the sprint race, Schumacher explained that Wolff would want to sort the situation out quickly.

“Usually these things are discussed very, very quickly. It’s always nice when two team-mates argue — that’s what people want to see,” the former driver said.

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

“At least from the outside. But sure, I think they’re handling it quite well. And I believe Toto Wolff will sort it out internally afterwards. I’m pretty sure of that. And Kimi now needs to calm down a bit and really look at it properly.”

He added on Antonelli getting his elbows out: “Yes, definitely. That has to be the case. To become world champion, you have to want that and be capable of it. And you also have to do things like that radio message.

“Sure, that naturally hints at the stewards looking into it and so on. That’s part of the game. Even if I sometimes find it strange. But I think he’s doing it with the right balance. Especially when you consider how young he still is. Sometimes his team-mate George Russell is much, much louder.”

While he backed the Italian driver’s approach, Schumacher felt that the radio messages were “one step too far”.

“Yes, it was one step too far, but he’s young and fearless. I mean, young people do things differently. He’s still very, very young. The emotions come through. Italian as well. Not that I say the wrong thing again and get into trouble.

“But that’s just how it is — the emotion is there, in both directions. So all good. And I think tonight the two of them will give each other a quick hug and then it’ll be fine.”

Photos from Canadian GP – Saturday