Kimi Antonelli has revealed how the crash he suffered during practice at Monza in 2024 continued to affect his confidence throughout his difficult rookie Formula 1 season. Now leading the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship in only his second year, the Mercedes driver has emerged from a period in which he questioned his own ability and struggled to enjoy racing.
The authority with which Kimi Antonelli currently leads the championship can make it easy to forget just how young he is. His rise appears even more remarkable when compared with the crisis he experienced during his debut campaign, which became severe enough to make him doubt whether he was capable of delivering at Formula 1 level.
The Italian is now fighting for the world title against a Ferrari team with which he shares the support of his home country. In an exclusive interview with FormulaPassion.it, Kimi Antonelli opened up about his recovery, his relationship with Mercedes and the responsibility of becoming one of the team’s leading figures.
Kimi Antonelli recalls the darkest point of his rookie F1 season
Kimi Antonelli spoke inside Mercedes’ hospitality unit during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. It was at the same circuit in 2025 that he had been unable to hide his tears at the culmination of an extremely difficult period.
“For me, it was the darkest moment of last year,” Kimi Antonelli explained. “I was already in a negative spiral and Spa was the final blow because it was a weekend when I felt I was struggling. I had not even started that badly, but then I spun in sprint qualifying and, after that, I had zero confidence in the main qualifying session.
“It was a very difficult weekend, also because I was really frustrated that I could not express myself. I did not enjoy that weekend at all. Fortunately, the summer break came afterwards, I reset and started again.”
How the 2024 Monza crash damaged Kimi Antonelli’s confidence
Formula 1 drivers rarely admit to questioning their own ability, but Kimi Antonelli spoke openly about the doubts he experienced. At the time, he was still troubled by the accident he had suffered during his Formula 1 practice debut at Monza in 2024.
“I had my doubts,” he admitted. “I had completed all the tests and I felt good. I felt in control of the car. However, the Monza accident affected me a lot. It was something I was never able to overcome last year.
“The fact that I had made a mistake and gone off stayed in my head and slowed me down a lot. It stopped me from expressing myself. I was driving tensely and could not even properly enjoy the whole experience. Last year, I doubted myself a lot.”
Kimi Antonelli entered Mercedes immediately after Lewis Hamilton’s departure, without first gaining experience at a smaller Formula 1 team. That direct promotion to one of the championship’s leading operations only increased the pressure surrounding his debut season.
“Definitely,” Kimi Antonelli said. “I went straight to Mercedes, a top team, so I did not follow a path through a smaller team. I felt the responsibility because, at a leading team, you have to try to achieve certain results.
“Last year, we fought for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, so I also had to score as many points as possible and perform at my best. I felt the responsibility, especially when I was going through that difficult period, because there was some pressure. I felt I had to do well because perhaps I was not meeting expectations.”
Toto Wolff’s toughest response became a turning point
Toto Wolff consistently attempted to reduce the pressure on his young driver, although there were also moments when the Mercedes team principal adopted a firmer approach.
“Last year, I had a major mental reset after Monza,” Kimi Antonelli recalled. “The race had not gone well. I made a mistake at the start and then several more. That was the moment when Toto was at his strictest with me.”
The doubts and insecurities of 2025 now feel like a distant memory. A special weekend in Shanghai delivered Kimi Antonelli’s first Formula 1 victory, which was followed by several more successes and transformed his confidence.
“It went away after I took my first victory,” he explained. “When you win for the first time, you remove a significant weight from your shoulders because you have fewer things to prove. Obviously, I still have many things to prove, but not as many as before.
“I achieved my first pole position and my first victory, and I managed to respond to difficult moments. Therefore, I have to say that the thought of Monza is no longer there. However, to be honest, I still do not feel 100% free. That is something that will come with time.”
The Italian’s performances have quickly turned him into a genuine championship contender, although questions about his long-term development remain inevitable. Former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola has also offered his assessment of what Kimi Antonelli must still learn before becoming a complete Formula 1 champion.
What Kimi Antonelli learned from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
Expressions of respect for Kimi Antonelli have never been in short supply, particularly from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The Mercedes driver said he has absorbed important lessons from both world champions.
“One thing I learned from them is not to be influenced too much by outside opinions or by what people who are not close to you think,” Kimi Antonelli said. “Some people only criticise and do not even do so constructively. I learned not to let myself be affected and not to be afraid of making mistakes.
“However, by watching Lewis and Max, one thing I would like to achieve is the awareness they have when they get into the car: awareness of their potential and of what the car can give them in any condition. I think that is something very impressive and also very difficult to achieve.”
The confidence Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen possess has also been developed through years of experience and multiple world championships. Kimi Antonelli is now attempting to reach the same level.
“Every year, you learn to understand yourself, the car and everything around you better,” he continued. “Having that kind of awareness makes the difference because they are always there fighting in every condition. It is something I would like to achieve as well.”
Why the 2021 Hamilton-Verstappen battle still inspires him
Kimi Antonelli has studied Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen for years, including during the memorable 2021 championship, which he experienced from inside the Mercedes Academy.
“As a spectator, it was an incredible world championship,” Kimi Antonelli said. “The ending was obviously very painful for us at Mercedes, but, putting aside what happened in the final race, I believe they both deserved it because they both produced an incredible season and made a remarkable difference compared with everyone else.
“In the end, it was only the two of them, and watching them fight was incredible. They were two drivers who went beyond the limit, especially Max on certain occasions. They drove as though it were their final race: all or nothing, life or death. As a driver, it is almost motivating to watch.”
Kimi Antonelli has already shown that he possesses a determined character during direct battles on the track, although he remains aware that an all-or-nothing approach cannot be used in every situation.
“There are situations in which you have to be aware and accept a different result from the one you wanted,” he explained. “There may also be conditions that do not allow you to do certain things.
“You definitely cannot always drive like that, with an all-or-nothing mentality, but there are occasions when it works, and it is extremely impressive.”
George Russell rivalry and the wider battle against Ferrari
Five years after watching the 2021 title fight from inside the Mercedes Academy, Kimi Antonelli is now involved in two championship battles of his own. One is the internal contest with George Russell, while the other is against Ferrari and the remaining front-running teams.
Both fights create significant psychological pressure. George Russell’s changing position within Mercedes has already prompted discussion over whether the Briton risks falling into a secondary role within the team as Kimi Antonelli’s influence grows.
“If you found yourself competing only against your team-mate, it would be slightly different,” Kimi Antonelli said. “It would mean the team was so dominant that, even if you did not beat your team-mate, you would still finish second and would not have any problems.
“When several teams are fighting, it is more enjoyable. It is an additional challenge, but at the same time you have less margin for error. You know that if you make a small mistake in qualifying, instead of starting second you might start fourth because, depending on the weekend, Ferrari, McLaren or Red Bull could get between you.”
Kimi Antonelli embraces sharing Italy’s support with Ferrari
Competing directly against Ferrari means Kimi Antonelli must share the support of Italian Formula 1 fans with the Maranello team. It is a situation he has learned to accept and appreciate, particularly as his success has contributed to renewed interest in motorsport across Italy.
“Ferrari is enormous,” he said. “It is a brand that represents the history of Formula 1. I understand that, but I am happy with the support I receive in Italy. It is continuing to grow, and it is beautiful to see and experience.
“I cannot wait to race at Monza because I believe it will be a truly special weekend. I think there will be an incredible atmosphere because it is a weekend filled with passion.”
The Italian Grand Prix will form one of the most emotionally significant events of the remaining 2026 Formula 1 calendar, particularly with an Italian driver leading the championship while Ferrari remain part of the title fight.
Why Mercedes feels like a second family
One of the keys to success is being able to race with a clear mind and enjoy the moments spent on track. Kimi Antonelli believes his relationship with Mercedes has helped him achieve that balance.
“For me, Mercedes is like a second family,” he said. “I grew up with them and I will always be grateful for the opportunities they have given me since I was young, as well as the opportunities they continue to give me now.
“It is good to have a strong relationship with every member of the team, especially at the circuit, because it allows you to enjoy the weekend more. I am very happy and there is no better place I could be.”
Trust also plays a central role in his working relationship with Peter “Bono” Bonnington, the experienced race engineer who previously worked with Lewis Hamilton.
“Seeing that there is respect, but also that we trust each other, is extremely important,” Kimi Antonelli continued. “Everyone inside the team wants what is best for the team and the driver, but trust is also essential.
“Sometimes I tell Bono what I am feeling from the car and then he shows me the different set-up options. I like to understand what the changes affect and what they do to the balance, but I tell him that he is the expert.
“My job is not to be the engineer. My job is to drive as quickly as possible. I tell him: ‘Look, I have told you what I want and I trust you. Do what you feel is right and then we will see.’ It is something he appreciates as well.”
Kimi Antonelli is learning how to lead Mercedes
Alongside developing as a driver, Kimi Antonelli is gradually learning what it means to become a leader within a Formula 1 team.
“It is definitely not easy and there is still a lot of work to do,” he acknowledged. “However, when a good dynamic is established, you can provide your input and see that the team listens to you and works in that direction. That is a good feeling.
“Being a leader is not always straightforward. You have to understand how to communicate with team members, including when you need to push them in a certain direction or express disappointment.
“When you want certain things to be different, you must know how to express yourself in the right way so that the message is constructive and positive rather than simply being criticism or creating negativity.”
One important discussion with Mercedes concerned the rules of engagement for his on-track battles with George Russell. Toto Wolff has made clear that he will not allow the rivalry to become destructive, with the Mercedes team principal even warning that he could remove a driver if the championship fight damages the team.
However, conversations between Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes have extended beyond how the two drivers should race each other.
“We have had discussions with the team and the technical staff about small details that could improve the car even further, particularly looking ahead to next year,” he revealed.
“It is good to see that mutual interest. For example, you might talk about something that could help you next year and then, a month later, they return with possible solutions. It is definitely very good to see.”
The endurance racing dream with Max Verstappen and his father
Kimi Antonelli’s greatest ambition is evident, although he remains too superstitious to say it aloud. The Mercedes driver also has other dreams, including competing in an endurance race, potentially alongside Max Verstappen.
“We have already spoken about it, but Max told me to concentrate on this year and then we will see,” Kimi Antonelli explained. “There is also my father. Competing together in the same car is a dream we share. It would be beautiful.”
There may even be an opportunity in the future to share a car with Valentino Rossi, who has been competing in GT racing for several years.
“Valentino follows me closely and we have a good relationship,” Kimi Antonelli concluded. “It is great to see so much interest from him as well.
“It is slightly more difficult now, but I would like to return to karting with him and the members of the Academy. I have to say that Vale is a great person, and I am genuinely happy to have such a good friendship with him.”
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