Kimi Antonelli arrived in the Shanghai paddock wearing a wristband on his left wrist. “Nothing serious. On Monday, after Melbourne, we did a precautionary scan to make sure there were no lingering effects from Saturday’s incident, and it showed that the ligaments were slightly stretched during the impact. But nothing serious: I’m ready to get back on track,” he explained.
When asked whether energy management will be less critical on this track compared to Melbourne, Antonelli responded, “Yes, it will be much less impactful, and battery management will be easier. In Melbourne, the challenge was the sequence of four long straights with few heavy braking zones: you had to carefully manage and maximize the battery charge. Here in Shanghai, there are more slow corners, so there are more opportunities to recharge. Then there’s one very long straight, and that’s where everyone will use most of their energy.”
Reflecting on Melbourne, Antonelli was asked about being carried in triumph by the team. “I think after the traditional celebratory photo, George went to avoid the champagne shower. I took it all for myself. I hope to soon earn a victory to match that celebration.”
When asked about their main advantage over Ferrari and other rivals, Antonelli said, “In Melbourne, where we performed very well, we managed to maximize battery deployment, especially in qualifying. During the race, Ferrari was strong in battery usage, and George didn’t have it easy against Charles Leclerc because Ferrari was strong in the same sections where we were strong. Qualifying involved many variables. The wind changed, so the approach to corners changed and, consequently, battery usage also shifted. We found the right compromise, and that gave us a solid advantage.”
Regarding the differences between qualifying and the race, he explained, “In qualifying, you go much faster, anticipate the throttle, and it becomes harder on the battery. We had to use lift-and-coast because the laps kept getting quicker. These were scenarios we had already tested in the simulator, so we were prepared for changing conditions, and that’s why we could make such a difference. It’s also worth noting that the car’s chassis performs very well in corners. How the car handles slow corners affects battery use, so it’s really a combination of many factors.”
On whether understanding energy strategies could change performance across the season, Antonelli said, “Overtaking opportunities will vary track by track. On a circuit like Shanghai, overtaking will be harder because you have a long straight where you use almost all the energy—it’s a fairly standard scenario. In Melbourne, there were multiple straights where you could adopt different battery strategies, and the overtaking mode was very powerful. Perhaps this weekend we’ll see fewer overtakes, but everything is still so new that it’s hard to make predictions. This year you can find incredible gains in both wind tunnel work and power unit development. Whoever evolves fastest and most efficiently will make the difference. Right now, we have an advantage, but we need to stay alert because the situation can change quickly. One mistake and you can find yourself behind one or more rivals.”
Regarding mistakes, Antonelli discussed post-race debriefs and launch problems: “The simulations we ran on the formation lap weren’t perfect. Battery management wasn’t as expected. This year it’s harder to heat the tires because there’s less downforce, so you have to push more on the formation lap. The consequence is you use more battery. At Melbourne, I reached the exit of turn 10 with 0% electrical power. This is something we’re working on. I don’t think we’ll fix everything this weekend because it takes time, but the sprint race will give us a second chance to practice the full start procedure.”
Asked how it feels to drive a title-contending car, Antonelli replied, “It’s a huge opportunity, but we have to watch out for Ferrari. They’re pushing hard and are clearly the second strongest team. This weekend, I expect to see their ‘Macarena’ wing in action—it reportedly worked in testing and could give them an advantage. They can’t be ruled out. For me, it’s a great chance to drive the car I have. You know you can fight for a win. Some tracks will suit us better, others less so, but the key is to maximize every weekend.”
When questioned about the driving experience under the new technical regulations, Antonelli admitted, “Some aspects have become a bit more cumbersome, and it will take time to make them automatic. During testing, I often forgot to lift and coast and ended up without energy. The simulator helped me make these procedures more natural, but it still takes time. We have to remember we’re at the start of a completely new set of regulations. Power unit and software development will improve many aspects, and the FIA is considering adjustments to address driver feedback. It’s important to take a measured approach to avoid making things worse.”
On frustration from other drivers, Antonelli said, “Drivers are like that: if you don’t have a competitive car, you tend to complain more. I can’t complain too much myself. There are things that aren’t perfect, but it’s the same for everyone. You just try to make the best of what you have.”
Asked whether a driver can still make the difference, he explained, “Yes. Many mechanisms need to be mastered, but once you get them right, you can make a difference. For example, in Melbourne qualifying, I got the throttle wrong in one corner, which confused the system. As a result, I lost a little compared to George on the next two straights. It’s crucial that all inputs are precise and consistent—that’s where you make the difference.”
And on braking: “This year it’s more difficult because we have less downforce, so yes, a driver can still make a difference under braking.”
Antonelli’s maturity in analyzing the technical nuances of the W17 confirms why Toto Wolff placed his faith in the teenager so early. While the “Macarena” wing from Ferrari is the technical mystery of the weekend, Kimi Antonelli’s focus on braking stability suggests that the 2026 battle won’t just be won in the software labs, but in the gritty, low-downforce corners of the Shanghai International Circuit. The championship leader heads into the Sprint weekend and his ability to manage the delicate balance between battery recovery and late-braking bravado will be his biggest test yet. If he can master the straights while keeping the Ferraris at bay, that “victory triumph” he dreams of might come sooner than anyone expected.
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