Kimi Antonelli highlights crucial Liam Lawson difference

Kimi Antonelli has pinpointed what could be a key distinction between his situation as an F1 rookie and Liam Lawson's struggles with Red Bull.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to life at Mercedes, taking 22 points from the opening two rounds. He has also become the first rookie since Lewis Hamilton to secure consecutive top-six finishes to begin his tenure in F1.

On the other hand, embarking on his first full season in the championship has been a nightmare for Lawson, who has been demoted back to Racing Bulls after two pointless weekends at Red Bull. Yuki Tsunoda has taken his place alongside Max Verstappen. 

It has cast a spotlight on the intense pressure rookies find themselves under, with Jack Doohan's performances also being heavily scrutinised at Alpine.

When asked for his take on the Lawson situation, Antonelli identified an important reason to explain why he faces an easier task at Mercedes.

"Of course, as rookies it seems like we're under a lot of pressure," Antonelli told media including RacingNews365. "In my case, I'm lucky, because I've got good people around me, [and a] good team which supports me all the way. So I don't feel this pressure much.

"It's more pressure that I put on myself because I want to perform. But obviously, F1, it can be quite brutal sometimes."

Big brand pressure in F1

Despite the relative comfort of his current position at the Brackley-based team, Antonelli was quick to point out how the lofty expectations that come with racing in F1 cannot go unfulfilled.

He highlighted how competing for a big brand comes with its own requirements, as is evidently the case for him and Lawson.

"It's Formula 1 because you race at the highest level," the Italian driver said. "And when you race at the highest level, people also have [an] expectation that you [will] perform.

"Because in my case, also some other drivers case, we represent a brand as well.

"So obviously we need to fulfil those expectations and by that, we need to perform. So, it's not easy, because like I said before, the level is very high and so on. You can have quite a bit of pressure, but you have to deal with it as well."