Kimi Antonelli concluded his 2025 season on a high note at the Abu Dhabi tests, finishing sixth overall and claiming the top spot among the main drivers. For 2026, only these main drivers were allowed to test the new tires on specially adapted “Monza version” cars to simulate low aerodynamic load and the behavior of the upcoming technical cycle.
Abu Dhabi tests: Kimi Antonelli leads the mule car session
Amid a sea of technical innovations, Kimi Antonelli stood out as the best, almost a second faster than the other main drivers. He was driving a Mercedes, one of the teams simulating active aerodynamics using a rudimentary front movable wing. Antonelli also completed an impressive 157 laps—the highest of the day. Even considering Frederik Vesti’s 145 laps as the second-most active driver, the Brackley team wrapped up 2025 on track with an enormous amount of data collected.
Antonelli’s words
“I’m very satisfied with the work we did today here in Abu Dhabi. Everything went very well, and we managed to complete almost 160 laps. We collected valuable data on the 2026 tires that we will evaluate and use for the next season,” Kimi Antonelli commented.
“I’d like to sincerely thank the entire team, both here on track and the colleagues in Brackley and Brixworth, for their hard work. Even though we’ve just finished this year and my rookie season, I’m looking forward to what’s ahead. We have some important months ahead with the exciting challenge of 2026, which we are all eagerly anticipating.” – the Italian driver concluded at the end of the testing session which was held at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
After a rookie campaign that showed flashes of brilliance mixed with the occasional mistake, Kimi Antonelli’s commanding display on Tuesday was the ideal way to sign off 2025. Mercedes fans now have every reason to believe their young star is ready to attack the biggest regulation shake-up in years.
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