Following an incredible start to the season that sees him leading the World Championship, Kimi Antonelli met the press in a media session to assess both his personal situation and the state of affairs at Mercedes ahead of the championship’s resumption. With two wins in the first three races, the young Italian talent has shaken up the team hierarchy, demonstrating a maturity beyond his years and seriously challenging the leadership of the far more experienced George Russell.
Expectations and mindset: “Focus on the process, not the title”
The blistering start has surprised many, perhaps even Antonelli himself, but the keyword remains “humility”: “It has been a better start than all of us expected or hoped for,” Kimi admitted. “Expectations have automatically changed, but I try to keep the same mindset I had in the first three races. I just want to focus on what I have to do and put myself in the best position to extract the maximum.”
The mistake now would be to change approach and start thinking about the world title already: “What I don’t want to do is start thinking about the final result or the long term now that we are in a good position,” added the Mercedes driver. “I focus on the present, on the process, and on raising the bar step by step, because the competitors will get closer.”
The forced break: reflection and physical preparation
The gap in the calendar caused by the cancellation of the Middle Eastern Grands Prix scheduled for April has been seen by Antonelli as an opportunity for growth, even though the desire to return to racing is becoming almost unbearable: “The break has been positive on one hand, but now it is starting to feel too long. I’ve tried to stay active with Pirelli tests and some GT driving, using the time to reflect on why the first weekends went well and where I could have done better.”
While this unusual first part of the season has brought a long pause, the pace of the 2026 Formula 1 season will increase exponentially, especially in the autumn: “I am training very hard physically because at the end of the year we will have many triple headers. It will be crucial to recharge the batteries and strengthen myself in order to maintain a consistent level throughout the season.”
Growth and control: experience as a key factor
Compared to his debut last season, Antonelli feels he has taken full control of his performance, eliminating the uncertainty typical of rookies: “Overall, I feel stronger and much more in control of the situation. Having already raced at all the tracks last year helps a lot; I know what to expect, how to approach things, and how to manage myself during the weekend.”
The stress of his debut season had led Kimi to a difficult moment last year, culminating in tears at Spa: “That experience plays a huge role this year: I feel more relaxed and more confident. I hope this helps me especially at those circuits where I struggled more last season.”
Simulator and “Generation Z”: the art of adaptation
Antonelli does not hide the importance of virtual work, seeing it not as a replacement for real track time but as a performance accelerator, especially with the complex 2026 regulations: “I do a lot of simulator work at home and I will now start an intense program at the factory. For us young drivers it is perhaps easier to adapt because we are used to changing cars every year in junior categories. When you spend an entire cycle in one car and then jump into something completely different, it is a big change.”
Adaptability is the key word, and it also applies to simulator work: “However, with the tools we have today, anyone with an open mindset can make a difference, regardless of experience. Maybe at the beginning it was an advantage for rookies, but now we are all at a similar level.”
Relationships in the garage: George Russell and family
Antonelli also addressed his coexistence with George Russell, which does not appear to have been affected by the new championship hierarchy: “My relationship with George is very strong and it has not changed. There is a lot of respect between us, we are working well together and there is a good dynamic in the team. Of course, I feel like a contender, I am here to win races and championships, but we are both aware that it is essential to maintain a good atmosphere to help Mercedes win the Constructors’ Championship. Neither of us wants to waste the opportunity provided by this competitive car.”
Finally, regarding family support, Kimi highlighted how important his father is in keeping him grounded, offering advice not so much on driving, but on mindset and behaviour during race weekends: “My father still has a huge impact on me, we have a very strong bond. He is the person who taught me almost everything I know and who always manages to keep me grounded in every situation.”
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