F1 rookie Kimi Antonelli: insights from his Mercedes mentor Valtteri Bottas on a challenging debut. Valtteri Bottas shares his perspective on Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s rookie F1 season.

Valtteri Bottas has not only served as Mercedes’ third driver but also played a key supportive role for Andrea Kimi Antonelli during his first F1 season.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s debut season in Formula 1 has so far been marked by ups and downs. The European rounds were particularly challenging for the young Mercedes rookie. At the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, however, Kimi Antonelli managed to be highly competitive, securing two second-place finishes, both in the Sprint race and the main Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas will remain present with the Brackley team until the end of the season as third driver, before officially returning to the track with Cadillac.

In an exclusive interview with Motorsportweek, the Finnish driver spoke about Antonelli’s season and the role he has played in supporting the young talent.

The first season in the pinnacle of motorsport

Rookies, despite their experience in lower categories and hours in the simulator, face immense pressure, especially during their debut season. Valtteri Bottas, understanding what it takes to debut in F1, has taken on a crucial supportive role at Mercedes as Antonelli’s “mentor.” During the American Grand Prix weekend in Texas, Valtteri Bottas told Motorsportweek.com: “He’s so young that, if I think about myself at his age, would I have been ready to race in a top-level team at that age? I’m not sure. So yes, I think he’s handling it well. There’s a lot to take in. The pressure is high, and he’s managing it. I know he’s gone through some tough moments.”

The Finnish driver, who will become Sergio Perez’s teammate at Cadillac in the future, emphasized how Antonelli is gradually gaining confidence, both with the car and within the team environment: “Yes, I try to be there to support him. And yes, we have discussed mistakes and how to overcome them.”

Valtteri Bottas added: “He’s learning, but again, in sport generally, it’s always much easier to say things than to actually do them. For example, if you tell someone, ‘forget that mistake and move on,’ you know, it’s easier said than done. But he’s learning, every weekend he’s learning. He’s becoming more confident, not just in the car, but also outside the car.”