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Motorsport

Lydia Mee

Jacques Villeneuve says Kimi Antonelli "has the luck of champions" in Michael Schumacher comparison

Kimi Antonelli Jacques Villeneuve Michael Schumacher George Russell

1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has argued that Kimi Antonelli is currently enjoying the "luck of champions".

Antonelli became the youngest driver to lead the championship after his back-to-back wins at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix. The 19-year-old driver has continued to pick up wins in every grand prix since, in Miami, Canada and Monaco.

Heading into the season, Antonelli's team-mate George Russell was a clear favourite. But as the Briton faced his fair share of issues outside of his control, such as car issues during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, a hampered strategy because of a safety car in Japan and further reliability problems in Canada, which forced him to retire from the lead, Antonelli has gone from strength to strength.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1, Villeneuve likened Antonelli's "luck of champions" to that of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

“Kimi has the luck of champions. If you remember the [Michael] Schumacher days, he would go off at every race but somehow in the only area where it was OK to go off and it would be OK," the Canadian said.

"That's happened to Kimi a lot this year. In Miami, he cut the first chicane, but Verstappen spun and he kept his spot. He's got that momentum going and when you have that belief, you keep on winning."

Jacques Villeneuve, former racing driver, walks in the paddock. (Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images)

After his win in Monaco, Antonelli leads the drivers' championship by 66 points over seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in second, and 68 points over Russell in third.

Qualifying for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is underway. Russell has so far looked more comfortable on track while the Ferrari pair also seem strong.

The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 14 June at 3pm local time (2pm UK time).

Photos from Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

50 Formula 1

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Alexander Albon, Williams

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Flavio Briatore, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Koji Watanabe, President, CEO and Representative Director of Honda Racing Corporation

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday

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