Formula 1 fan and ‘king of karts’, Martinelli is inspired by Lewis Hamilton to continue on a high at Fluminense

Formula 1 fan, Matheus Martinelli decided to try a new sport: motorsport. Close to CT Carlos Castilho, he started to ride a kart and adopted it as new hobby. According to him, “he is looking for an opponent” and has challenged Fluminense players to beat him. Nobody was successful. This is one of several versions of the 21-year-old midfielder, who faces Bangu today, at 4 pm, at Mané Garrincha, in Brasília. Adapting, on and off the pitch, is one of his main features.

— I started walking there near the Metropolitano [Shopping localizado próxmo ao CT do Fluminense]. I called the guys, we were like five, six friends to compete. Now I can say that I’m good at karting (laughs). I had never played with it. I went there with my friends and relatives and enjoyed it. became a hobby. I go five times every two weeks. When I have time at night, I’m there. I’m not finding more opponents in Fluminense (laughs). I already took Pedro Rangel, Gustavo [Apis]the Alexander [Jesus]. But nobody beats me – complete.

Martinelli sees karting as a routine addition, but his Formula 1 idol for football inspiration. The midfielder does not hide his admiration for the British Lewis Hamilton and mentions thoughts of the four-time world champion that help him on the pitch for Fluminense.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” He is a guy who has won everything and has the ambition to win more. He is an icon for the sport and that ambition is something that inspires me. It doesn’t matter how many titles he has, how many records. He always wants more.

The defensive midfielder believes he is living his best moment at Fluminense and credits it to two factors: the better adaptation in the professional squad and coach Fernando Diniz, who helped him “understand the game better”. He admits that he had difficulties at the beginning of his career as a professional, but now he sees himself on the right track.

— It was a change that is not easy. It took me a while to adapt to this environment. Fans, press… But after a certain period, I adapted well. I think the most complicated thing was the crowd. Ours is always present, so we enter to win. But when we are behind, pressure comes and makes us more anxious. But this is something we have to learn to control.

Finally, Martinelli spoke about the partnership with André, summoned yesterday for the Brazilian national team. Teammates since the base categories, they live a duet for years in Fluminense.

— André and I are great partners. On and off the field. We always talk a lot in the warm-up before the game, in training. He’s a guy I have complete confidence in and so does he. It makes this connection a lot easier. As the games go by, we understand the movements of each one and that makes it easier.