With the latest run of success Kimi Antonelli has loved at Mercedes, Components 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has weighed in on the potential for the 19-year-old changing into an emblem of the game.
Antonelli has begun the 2026 Components 1 marketing campaign in spectacular trend, securing 4 consecutive race victories following his second-place end on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Final day trip in Canada, the younger Italian prolonged his championship result in 43 factors over his teammate George Russell.
Commercial
Talking on the Seven Lives podcast hosted by Italian media persona Hoara Borselli, Domenicali was requested whether or not Antonelli might emerge as the brand new face of Components 1. The 61-year-old motorsport chief moved shortly to mood expectations, whereas nonetheless acknowledging the dimensions of the teenager’s early achievements.
“Kimi Antonelli is a rare expertise. He’s nonetheless a really pure character and doesn’t but have that, how can I put it, that ‘superstructure’ that comes with years of dwelling on this atmosphere, the place from sooner or later to the subsequent you change into a hero,” Domenicali mentioned.
Kimi Antonelli on the rostrum of the Canadian Grand Prix – Photograph: Race Photos
Kimi Antonelli on the rostrum of the Canadian Grand Prix – Photograph: Race Photos
Commercial
The chief went on to emphasize the significance of managing expectations across the Mercedes driver.
“What I want for him is that he stays as he’s for so long as doable. He’s nonetheless younger, he comes from a household that has all the time supported and guarded him, and from a group that has all the time believed in him. That must be recognised, however on the identical time, we’ve got to let him develop with out placing an excessive amount of strain on him. He wants time to mature, though profitable three Grands Prix in a row just isn’t one thing many obtain, so it exhibits how robust he’s inside,” he added.
Domenicali additionally mentioned he appreciates the youthful innocence Antonelli nonetheless carries, whereas warning of the realities that include life on the prime of the game.
“I additionally like these younger people who find themselves nonetheless, in a approach, like 19-year-olds must be, with a little bit of naivety. That’s truly stunning. However somebody has to assist him perceive that the world we reside in just isn’t all the time one the place individuals smile at you simply because they’re genuinely glad for what you do. It’s a world the place you typically must construct a protect,” he concluded.
Commercial
Wolff tempers Mercedes expectations forward of Monaco
Earlier, on the group’s prospects heading into the weekend. The Austrian highlighted the status and historical past of the occasion, whereas stressing that Mercedes should construct efficiency throughout each session to maximise their possibilities.
Wolff underlined the distinctive calls for of qualifying on the tight and technical road circuit, noting that success in Monaco is closely depending on Saturday’s efficiency. He added that the Brackley-based group are approaching the weekend with out assumptions or efficiency ensures, given how advantageous the margins are within the Principality.
Mercedes have loved a near-flawless begin to the 2026 marketing campaign, profitable all 5 races thus far and firmly main each the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
Commercial
Nonetheless, Monaco has traditionally been a more difficult venue for the group lately. Their solely victory there within the final 5 editions got here in 2019, when Lewis Hamilton completed forward of Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas. On the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, with Russell and Antonelli on the wheel, Mercedes endured a tough weekend, ending eleventh and 18th, respectively.
