Mercedes driver follows Verstappen’s lead with pseudonym at Karting series

The Italian driver, who took part in the SODI D40 go-karting endurance race, raced under the pseudonym Henry Shovlin.

The Milton Keynes event saw the Formula 1 driver record the fastest lap by over three seconds in the wet. Antonelli’s benchmark lap time of 1:24.5 was also over five seconds quicker than that of Williams Racing driver Alex Albon, who had previously raced at the event in similar wet conditions.

Antonelli’s karting adventure follows that of Red Bull Racing driver Verstappen, who earlier in May had taken part in a test at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit under the pseudonym Franz Hermann.

The Red Bull Racing driver, during his endeavour at the Green Hell, saw him eclipse the lap record at the iconic German circuit.

Earlier, Antonelli highlighted the support he received from Verstappen throughout his debut Formula 1 campaign.

The Mercedes rookie, in his words, described the four-time world champion as the ‘dad of the rookies’.

Antonelli also highlighted the advice and guidance he gets from the Dutch driver, including support during a difficult period when he was subjected to online abuse in the aftermath of the incident with Lando Norris at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Several rookies, including Gabriel Bortoleto and Oliver Bearman, have also highlighted the support from the Red Bull Racing driver.

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