305 replies to this topic

[pup]

Just shows that the Raikkonen association can only get you so far.  Eventually you've got to invoke de Cesaris.  

 

I think we all saw it coming.

Edited by pup, 04 March 2025 - 16:54.

[garoidb]

Good afternoon everyone. Time to revisit that most important of subjects.

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...es/cly8w37pv8xo

 

Antonelli's talent is not the only reason he has stood out. There is also his name.

He is known universally in F1 as "Kimi", probably because his middle name carries obviously heavy resonance.

But although there is motorsport in the family - father Marco is a sports car racer - Antonelli says he was not named after Finnish 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

"Basically, my parents wanted to give me a second name that would fit well with the first name and the surname, but they didn't want a second Italian name," he says. "They wanted something different.

"A really good friend of ours, his name is Enrico Bertaggia, he has a background of racing. (Bertaggia was entered in eight grands prix for back-of-the-grid teams between 1989-92). He decided to name me Kimi. My parents said: 'Yeah, it sounds great.' And so I got named."

Antonelli says he understands why everyone calls him Kimi, rather than his actual first name.

"It is more natural," he says. "It is nice and short. Especially in the world of racing, it is such an iconic name.

"My best friends, my close friends, they all call me Andrea. Also my family."

 

 

This doesn't sound like he has requested that people call him Kimi. It's just something that has been conferred upon him. Andrea it is then!    (But he's still Antonelli if you are one-naming him.)

 

Where on earth does he think Bertaggia got the name Kimi from in 2006? I think there must be some significance to being able to argue that he is not named after the famous Kimi but rather received the name independently of our Finnish friend. There has to be a reason for these evasions. 

[Baddoer]

I have huge expectations. He is better not to disapoint.

[Risil]

Where on earth does he think Bertaggia got the name Kimi from in 2006? I think there must be some significance to being able to argue that he is not named after the famous Kimi but rather received the name independently of our Finnish friend. There has to be a reason for these evasions.

Has anybody asked Bertaggia?

[noikeee]

I have huge expectations. He is better not to disapoint.

He's 18. Even if he's fast he'll surely have moments where he'll disappoint people.

[Victor]

He should be at school.