Much of the focus in Sundayโs Japanese Grand Prix will be on Mercedesโ 19-year-old driver Kimi Antonelli โ heโs on the pole โ and Ferrariโs 41-year-old Lewis Hamilton, the most decorated racer in Formula 1 history.
Antonelli won the first F1 race of his career two weeks ago in China, the second-youngest winner in history. The youngest was Max Verstappen in 2016 at only 18. The young Italian also won from pole-position in China, the youngest to ever claim that spot.
It was a rare sighting on Sunday when Hamilton and Antonelli were spotted walking together into the paddock area at the Suzuka circuit in central Japan. They know each well from Hamiltonโs days at Mercedes.
Consider this. When Hamilton won his first Formula 1 race in 2007 in Canada, Antonelli was only 9 1/2 months old. Of course, it marks the change of generations in the sport.
Hamilton leads the F1 record books in almost every category: most races won (105), most poles (104), and most podiums (207). And the British drivers is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most world championships (7).
