Andrea Kimi Antonelli capped off an excellent weekend for Mercedes at the Singapore Grand Prix by finishing fifth, while teammate George Russell took victory under the lights at Marina Bay. Despite losing positions at the start, the young Italian managed to recover and reclaim fifth place from Charles Leclerc with an impressive overtake at Turn 16. Although he couldn’t close the gap to Oscar Piastri in fourth, Antonelli’s drive once again showcased his growing confidence and maturity behind the wheel of the W16.
In the final laps, Antonelli came under intense pressure from Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari, but the rookie held his ground with calm precision. When Hamilton later encountered brake problems, the Mercedes driver was able to manage the situation and maintain his position, finishing comfortably ahead of both Ferrari SF-25s.
This result allowed Mercedes to further extend its advantage over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, now holding a 25-point lead over the Italian team with six races remaining in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The points scored by Russell and Antonelli marked another strong step forward for the Brackley-based squad in its pursuit of second place overall.
Antonelli reflects on his performance
After securing fifth place in what was one of the physically most demanding races of the season, Antonelli admitted the start hadn’t gone to plan. “I had some issues with wheelspin during the second phase of the start, which cost me a lot going into the first corner,” he explained. “I lost two positions, and from that point onward, it became a recovery race.”
Speaking about the challenge of racing in Singapore’s unforgiving conditions, the young Mercedes driver shared how he managed to fight back through the field despite the heat and the lack of overtaking opportunities. “It was a physically tough race, but I’m happy with how I managed to recover. The pace was strong, and I was able to take back fifth place with a nice move on Leclerc. We could have achieved a bit more tonight, but fifth place is still a good result.”
Antonelli’s performance once again confirmed his rapid adaptation to Formula 1. Still in his debut season, the Italian continues to impress Mercedes with consistent results, race awareness, and a composed attitude under pressure. His points haul in Singapore also came at a crucial time, as Mercedes seeks to strengthen its hold on second place in the standings and build confidence ahead of the final rounds of the championship.
Before leaving the paddock, Antonelli made sure to acknowledge his teammate’s contribution to the team’s success and praised McLaren for securing the constructors’ title. “Congratulations to George for the fantastic win and brilliant driving,” he said. “It’s a great result for the team and helps us a lot in the constructors’ championship. Congratulations also to McLaren and everyone at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains for another title with a Mercedes engine.”
With every race, the young Italian continues to grow into his role within Mercedes, showing the potential that could soon make him a major player at the top of Formula 1. His performance in Singapore once again proved that, even under extreme pressure, Kimi Antonelli has the skill and composure to deliver for his team when it matters most.
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