Antonelli says he still has questions to answer

He said: "A lot has changed. The year of experience itself played a massive role - making your own experiences, understanding what is good and not good for you during the weekend and outside the weekend.

"The experience, being able to come back into the weekend and having done it the year before plays a massive difference. You know better the track evolution and so on and you are able to balance your energies in a better way so you feel better in the car in terms of energy.

"You become more aware of your potential and you know better the team, it's all little things that play a massive role."

Antonelli said that so far the pressure of competing for the championship had not affected him.

"I am not really worrying about it," he said.

"Of course I know the opportunity that is on the table and of course I want to make the best out of it.

"But at the same time I don't want to drive or race thinking about that.

"I want to really focus on the process and what I have to do and enjoy as much as possible the weekend and drive as fast as possible and then we will see where we end up at the end of the year."

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who made his F1 debut more than five years before Antonelli was born, said the Italian was "an incredible talent".

The Spaniard added: "Now he has a car that is dominating and he is adapting to that car and winning races without making mistakes and feeling the pressure of leading the championship and leading the race, which is a very good achievement.

"But this is F1 and you need to perform at the highest level always. He has the opportunity and if he is able to deal with the pressure and deliver the title, it is an incredible thing."