Nico Rosberg hails Kimi Antonelli as F1’s ultimate outsider after stunning start. Nico Rosberg praises Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s sensational start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Three grands prix, two records

Formula 1 fans will have to wait until early May to see the championship back in action on the streets of Miami, but for Italian supporters this is already an unforgettable moment, largely thanks to the performances of Andrea Kimi Antonelli. With three podium finishes in the first three races of the season, the Bologna-born driver has become the youngest driver in history to secure a pole position. Thanks to his first two career victories in China and Japan, he has also become the youngest championship leader ever at just 19 years of age.

A story that fascinates Nico Rosberg

Performances that, at least so far, have exceeded all pre-season expectations, when his teammate George Russell was widely considered the favorite to lead the standings. Speaking about this in an interview with Bloomberg, former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg — who won the world championship with the Silver Arrows in 2016 — shared his admiration: “What an incredible story,” he said. “Nineteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli, the ultimate outsider, is leading the world championship after three races. It’s wonderful. He has so many fans. Even at the press conference here in San Francisco, there were lots of Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli supporters as I was walking onto the stage, so it’s great to see.”

Hopes for on-track battles

The former German driver also hopes to see increased competitiveness between the team currently leading the Constructors’ Championship and its rivals, especially after the encouraging signs shown in the most recent Japanese Grand Prix by the 40-year-old. Potential battles which, according to Rosberg, would also help ease concerns surrounding the new technical regulations: “Hopefully Ferrari can take advantage of this gap now to close in on Mercedes. McLaren was already there in the last race. So if there is a really exciting battle, I think fans won’t care about the technology and will love and appreciate the racing and the fights.”

As the championship moves toward its first American stop of the year, the “Antonelli factor” has transformed the 2026 title race into a global phenomenon. By breaking long-standing records and securing the support of legends like Nico Rosberg, the young Italian is not just driving for Mercedes—he is carrying the hopes of a new generation of racing enthusiasts. Whether the technical gap remains stable or closes in Miami, the thrill of the chase ensures that the 2026 season is already one for the history books.