Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has credited his difficult rookie System 1 marketing campaign in 2025 with making him mentally stronger in 2026.
The Italian driver holds a 59-point lead over his team-mate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton within the drivers’ standings. He grew to become the youngest driver to guide the championship in his second season within the collection after back-to-back wins in China and Japan, which he adopted up with 4 extra grand prix victories earlier than the summer season break.
Antonelli has proven an enormous leap in efficiency in contrast with this time 12 months in the past, when he scored factors in solely two of 9 European races. He ended his rookie season seventh within the standings with 150 factors, with three podium finishes in Canada, Brazil and Las Vegas and 4 retirements in Emilia-Romagna, Spain, Austria and Nice Britain.
“Expertise is enjoying an enormous function,” the 20-year-old defined to F1.com as he mirrored on the adjustments from 2025 to 2026.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos by way of Getty Photos
Antonelli added that whereas his 2025 season was difficult, he “wanted” these powerful moments to develop into stronger “emotionally and mentally”.
“In fact, I nonetheless have a variety of expertise to make, however I feel final 12 months, regardless of all of the unhealthy moments, the tough intervals, I feel that was what I wanted as a result of that helped me to develop much more than what I anticipated. It made me stronger emotionally and mentally.”
Since Antonelli took the lead within the standings in Japan, there was a variety of speak about when the stress of combating for a championship will get to the younger driver, however that’s but to occur.
He now heads into his house race hoping for higher fortunes than he skilled in 2025, though he’ll take an influence unit penalty. The Italian Grand Prix will happen at Monza from 4-6 September.
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