Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman on the highs and challenges of their rookie F1 season. Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman share their experiences from their first F1 season.

The first season in Formula 1 brings new challenges, routines, and milestones, making it one of the most demanding periods for any driver.

The words of Kimi Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli, reflecting on the season, admitted that balancing everything was a major challenge: “The biggest surprise is definitely the commitments you have during the race weekend, but also outside the race weekends.”

“I think this was one of the most important factors and also one of the greatest lessons: trying to manage your energy as efficiently as possible, organizing things to your advantage. I don’t want to lie: there were moments in the season when I felt truly exhausted.”

“Now, of course, I know what to expect, and I think next year will be a bit easier, because experiencing all this has definitely helped me.”

The Italian driver also highlighted the positive aspects of Formula 1: “You have the opportunity to drive these extraordinary cars. They are extremely fast and a lot of fun, especially in qualifying.”

“The limit is so high that it’s thrilling to get on track and try to understand just how far you can push the car. Some circuits that may not have been as fun in F2 become much more enjoyable to drive in an F1 car.”

“I think it was really special to have the chance to drive a car like this. Obviously next year there will be a big difference, but we will still have the opportunity to drive the fastest cars in the world.”

The words of Ollie Bearman

Oliver Bearman, another rookie in 2025, agrees with Kimi Antonelli: “The biggest surprise or the main difference, I would say, is probably how busy you are compared to F2. We do almost twice as many races in Formula 1, but even off-track there are far more activities with partners and many more media obligations.”

“So, energy management is crucial: driving the car is one thing, but being ready to give 100% every time you get on track is another.”

Securing a seat in Formula 1 certainly means more responsibility and significantly less free time, but it also means occupying one of the 20 most coveted positions in the world of motorsport. As both drivers look toward 2026, the lessons learned in managing the “F1 circus” will likely be as valuable as the time spent behind the steering wheel.