TEEN DREAM KIMI IS VALUE FOR VAL

ROOKIE sensation Kimi Antonelli has already proven that replacing a seven-time Formula One champion with an unproven teenager was the right call.

- EXCLUSIVE by Daniel Moxon

That’s the view of Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas, who has had a front-row seat to the 18-year-old’s impressive start to life on the F1 grid.

Mercedes endured an awful triple-header of European races in recent weeks but there remains a spring in their step that was previously missing in the three years since they were knocked off their perch.

And flying Finn Bottas, 35, credits enthusiastic teen Antonelli with helping to change the atmosphere after 12 years of working with Lewis Hamilton before the Brit quit for Ferrari.

He said: "Obviously we’re not happy that McLaren is still ahead and they seem to be quite clearly ahead.

"But at least the team has a chance of fighting for better positions.

Also, the dynamics always change a bit when you change drivers.