The Bolognese driver arrives in Japan buoyed by his first Formula 1 victory in China: “I haven’t let myself get carried away too much because it’s very easy to go from the stars to the gutters, but this win has strengthened my confidence in my potential. I feel in control of the situation. George and I will battle, but we want the team to return to winning the Constructors’ Championship.”
Intense ten days leading into Suzuka
The start of the Suzuka weekend officially closes ten very intense days for Kimi Antonelli. From the emotions in Shanghai to the wave of popularity that a Grand Prix winner inevitably attracts—especially when that victory puts an Italian back on the top step of the podium after a twenty-year wait. “I enjoyed it, but not exactly the way I would have liked. I arrived home from China on Monday, and by Tuesday I was already in England preparing for this weekend. But that’s fine; it’s an extra motivation to try to repeat it this weekend.”
Managing attention and staying focused
Antonelli is well aware that this new dimension exposes him to some risks. “There was a big boom, and it was nice, but I tried not to get carried away too much, because it’s very easy to lose focus on the goal. I know well how quickly you can go from the stars to the gutters, so it’s important to perform well here at Suzuka as well.”
The first F1 win as a confidence boost
On another level, Antonelli’s first Formula 1 victory represents a significant step in self-awareness. “Yes, it has strengthened my confidence in my potential and what I can achieve. I’ve lifted a weight off my shoulders, but I still have a lot to prove.”
Mercedes front wing saga
The hot topic in the Suzuka paddock has been the saga of the Mercedes front wing. “It’s a script we’ve seen before,” Antonelli explained. “When a team wins, they always come under the spotlight. It was a system malfunction, so it wasn’t intentional and, above all, it didn’t provide an advantage. In fact, it was a disadvantage, especially under braking, because the wing took longer to recover its angle.”
FIA measures ahead of the weekend
There are no doubts for Kimi Antonelli regarding the FIA’s measures on the eve of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. “Doing lift and coast in qualifying isn’t ideal, neither for the spectators nor for us, because sometimes it goes against the nature of a flying lap. In qualifying, you try to push to the maximum, and the FIA is trying to ensure exactly that. But it remains a delicate subject; solutions shouldn’t be rushed because there is a risk of creating new issues.”
Focus on teammate George Russell
As in Australia and China, Antonelli’s primary reference during the weekend will be teammate George Russell. Kimi’s victory, at least on the surface, hasn’t altered the dynamics within the team. “Behaviors are always the same; only his statements have changed a little, but George behaves with me as always. Perhaps it will take a few races to see how the situation evolves, but there’s a good dynamic in the team. George and I respect each other a lot. Obviously, we want to battle each other and win, but at the same time, we want the team to return to winning the Constructors’ title.”
Gaining experience and control
Antonelli knows it won’t be easy to get the better of Russell. When the first rival is your teammate, every detail counts, and often those details are linked to experience. “Today I feel more in control of the situation; aspects like weekend management and energy management have improved. I have a season of experience behind me, and even if not all moments last year were positive, I learned a lot.”
Feeling more complete in the car
“I feel more relaxed when I get in the car; I can enjoy the sessions more and have fun. I also know how to better manage work between practice, qualifying, and the race. I feel much more complete than last year, but of course, there’s still a lot to do. The potential is high, but there’s still a long way to go to fully exploit it.”
Kimi Antonelli is approaching the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix with a balanced mix of “rookie” hunger and “veteran” composure. Based on the content of his latest debrief, the focus has shifted from celebrating the past to securing Mercedes’ future at the front of the grid.
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