The issue of pressure on Mercedes’ young talent was quickly brushed aside—only to become dramatically relevant again at the first, completely normal, difficulties faced by the rookie. Social media and increasingly superficial analyses of complex realities play a key role. (ls)
Published: 28 July 2025
Columns: From Kart to F1
In a way, you reap what you sow. If, in recent years, the trend has been to dramatize the narrative of F1 to the point of distorting it—from ‘Drive to Survive’ (not coincidentally shunned and often criticized by Verstappen himself) to Hollywood blockbusters—it’s no wonder that journalistic reporting has followed suit, insofar as we can even talk about “journalism” today. True news is scarce; most coverage is simply recycling the same headline or Instagram video snippet, 99% of the time pulled from social networks with no added analysis of the actual facts. The current successes of F1 in terms of audience are measured mainly via social participation by the new crowd of “fans,” who, helped by relentless and loud marketing, have begun following a sport until a few decades ago was for the few.
Some might argue that, compared to the “old” F1—closed off and not easily accessible—today’s Formula 1 is an open, young, hyper-connected platform at the center of an ever-growing economic and media ecosystem. You can’t blame that point of view: many have benefited from the new and expanded popularity resulting from the broadening fan base. The entire motorsport supply chain is in good economic health, thanks precisely to the continuing allure of the “spot among the top twenty”—so much so that, when you do manage to snag that spot (with odds of about one in a hundred thousand), the exposure is so great that it can affect not only your sporting career but everything else as well. Let’s remember that beneath all the glitter and followers are people trying to do a very difficult, dangerous job. That “spot” has always come at a very high price, right from the days of minikart: the pressure is extreme, the racing schedule nearly non-stop, and the system itself is on the edge, even if it looks wealthy thanks to packed paddocks, hospitality suites, and countless silly posts on social media. The reality is that we have sacrificed everything—logic, common sense, the very essence of our beloved sport, karting, and, more broadly, “the beauty of racing”—in the relentless search for a phenomenon to throw into the economic machine as quickly as possible. The minute problems arise, you’re ready to be tossed aside to make room for the next kid, who might not even have a driver’s license yet but has a bedroom full of trophies.
The parallels drawn between Antonelli and Verstappen exist, and there will soon be more between other drivers and the formidable Dutchman. But don’t forget that today’s F1—and even karting—is profoundly different from a mere ten years ago. We’re in a context that allows no mistakes and is eager to move on the moment the public’s level of “satisfaction” drops, regardless of whether that public is competent—a crowd scraped together from social networks, there to make up the numbers, idolize the new arrival, or tear him down with the latest meme. Max experienced his adjustment period to F1 under very different circumstances, especially because of social media and the onslaught of decontextualized stimuli: Antonelli is criticized for “not winning,” while at the same time, Lando Norris is hailed as a great champion after a single race win in his sixth F1 season and over 110 race entries.
The problem isn’t a new one—motorsport’s entry ages have been cunningly lowered, including in karting. We’ll never tire of saying that the age thresholds for entering professional racing are highly debatable and many industry professionals are starting to take notice. Here’s the reality: all the economic, professional, and psychological effort to bring a very young driver to the top of motorsports can vanish in an instant, because this (today) is what F1 is. And that’s if you’re Antonelli, with Antonelli’s talent. Imagine if you’re not.
Some might argue that, compared to the “old” F1—closed off and not easily accessible—today’s Formula 1 is an open, young, hyper-connected platform at the center of an ever-growing economic and media ecosystem. You can’t blame that point of view: many have benefited from the new and expanded popularity resulting from the broadening fan base. The entire motorsport supply chain is in good economic health, thanks precisely to the continuing allure of the “spot among the top twenty”—so much so that, when you do manage to snag that spot (with odds of about one in a hundred thousand), the exposure is so great that it can affect not only your sporting career but everything else as well. Let’s remember that beneath all the glitter and followers are people trying to do a very difficult, dangerous job. That “spot” has always come at a very high price, right from the days of minikart: the pressure is extreme, the racing schedule nearly non-stop, and the system itself is on the edge, even if it looks wealthy thanks to packed paddocks, hospitality suites, and countless silly posts on social media. The reality is that we have sacrificed everything—logic, common sense, the very essence of our beloved sport, karting, and, more broadly, “the beauty of racing”—in the relentless search for a phenomenon to throw into the economic machine as quickly as possible. The minute problems arise, you’re ready to be tossed aside to make room for the next kid, who might not even have a driver’s license yet but has a bedroom full of trophies.
The parallels drawn between Antonelli and Verstappen exist, and there will soon be more between other drivers and the formidable Dutchman. But don’t forget that today’s F1—and even karting—is profoundly different from a mere ten years ago. We’re in a context that allows no mistakes and is eager to move on the moment the public’s level of “satisfaction” drops, regardless of whether that public is competent—a crowd scraped together from social networks, there to make up the numbers, idolize the new arrival, or tear him down with the latest meme. Max experienced his adjustment period to F1 under very different circumstances, especially because of social media and the onslaught of decontextualized stimuli: Antonelli is criticized for “not winning,” while at the same time, Lando Norris is hailed as a great champion after a single race win in his sixth F1 season and over 110 race entries.
The problem isn’t a new one—motorsport’s entry ages have been cunningly lowered, including in karting. We’ll never tire of saying that the age thresholds for entering professional racing are highly debatable and many industry professionals are starting to take notice. Here’s the reality: all the economic, professional, and psychological effort to bring a very young driver to the top of motorsports can vanish in an instant, because this (today) is what F1 is. And that’s if you’re Antonelli, with Antonelli’s talent. Imagine if you’re not.
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