Kimi Antonelli has admitted he couldn’t have imagined being in a dominant place on the high of the Method 1 world championship 12 months in the past when he reached “rock bottom” throughout his rookie marketing campaign.
Antonelli, 19, received the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday to maneuver 45 factors away from Lewis Hamilton on the high of the drivers’ standings, with 10 of twenty-two presently scheduled rounds full.
Having been fast-tracked in by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to switch Hamilton following the seven-time world champion’s choice to hitch Ferrari, Antonelli endured a chastening spell halfway by means of his 2025 marketing campaign.
The then 18-year-old went on a dismal run throughout which he completed above ninth simply as soon as in 10 grands prix, with one of many low factors coming as he was knocked out in Q1 in Belgium final 12 months.
Requested after claiming his sixth victory of the season on Sunday whether or not he may have imagined this situation a 12 months in the past, Antonelli replied: “No, completely not.
“Final 12 months right here, I most likely reached the underside, so it was a really troublesome weekend for me mentally.
“But this year was definitely a lot better. If you had asked me last year at this moment, I probably would have said no.”
Antonelli’s benefit on the high of the standings may really be far better if it weren’t for a spell of unhealthy luck the Italian has endured in latest weeks.
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Antonelli wins the Belgian Grand Prix
He suffered an engine failure when working second to Hamilton in Barcelona, after which suffered a wheel-guard failure that dropped him out of the factors on the British Grand Prix when he gave the impression to be on the right track to chase Charles Leclerc down for victory.
His tempo dominance over his team-mate George Russell, who started the 12 months because the clear title favorite, makes it onerous to see how Antonelli could be caught until Ferrari make main enhancements to their inferior energy unit within the close to future.
Regardless of his sturdy place, Antonelli is just not dwelling on the rising chance of him turning into by far the youngest driver to turn into an F1 world champion.
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Antonelli joins Sky Sports activities’ Karun Chandhok on the SkyPad to analyse the Italian’s pole-setting lap on the Belgian Grand Prix
“I never want to relax too much,” Antonelli advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“Of course, it’s a great result and good redemption after last year because last year was a very dark moment for me and to get the win is very special.
“However you possibly can by no means calm down as a result of we’ve got seen prior to now how the scenario can swing so shortly.
“So that’s why it’s important to really maximise and take every opportunity that is given, and just make the best out of it because you never know what can happen.”
Wolff: We’re all stunned by Antonelli kind
Wolff made the choice to present Antonelli one of the crucial fascinating seats on the grid when a number of different sturdy choices have been out there, and there have been occasions throughout 2025 when the selection got here below nice scrutiny.
Whereas Wolff says Antonelli’s ups and downs throughout his debut marketing campaign have been anticipated, the Austrian admits {the teenager}’s outstanding consistency in 2026 has “surprised” the entire workforce.
“We’re all surprised”, Wolff mentioned. “I think the first season came as expected. Great moments where his talent shined through, and then moments which were very difficult – the long spell of lack of results in the middle of the season, as expected.
“After which after the winter, additionally as anticipated, he knew the atmosphere, he knew the pressures, he knew the calls for of the workforce on the technical facet, on the advertising facet, understanding the tracks that we’d go racing.
“But what was not expected is the serenity and structure that he brought into his game. With Kimi, whether the session was good or bad, you wouldn’t see a difference in emotions in the debrief.
“It’s completely transactional. What’s the downside? How can we remedy it? How can we transfer on? And that’s new. And I believe that is why it is virtually when he wins, you possibly can’t see this absolute pleasure {that a} 19-year-old would virtually have.”
Wolff highlighted Antonelli’s reactions to the reliability points that price him in Barcelona and at Silverstone as additional examples of his protégé’s level-headedness.
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Antonelli suffers injury throughout the British Grand Prix
Wolff added: “And at the same time, when he fails to deliver results, in Barcelona, when we had the car stoppage, or even in Silverstone, he comes back in and he was the one saying to the team, ‘this is a mechanical sport, these things can happen’.
“Nineteen-years-old – that may be very spectacular to see. And I believe this mindset and this perspective might be one of many principal drivers that has allowed the expertise to shine so early in his profession.”
Formula 1 heads straight to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix with every session live on Sky Sports F1 from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
