Present Method 1 championship chief Kimi Antonelli has opened up about how he’s holding himself grounded within the 2026 title struggle.
In solely his second season in F1, Antonelli grew to become the youngest driver to steer the standings with back-to-back wins in China and Japan. Since then, he secured 4 extra grand prix victories earlier than the summer season break and now finds himself thrown into the championship struggle early in his profession.
The 20-year-old driver at the moment holds a 59-point lead within the championship over his Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
“We watched among the races on TV whereas consuming dinner. We nonetheless talked about F1, nevertheless it was in a pleasant manner, simply reminding us what we achieved,” Antonelli advised F1.com about his summer season break.
“It’s essential to be comfortable about it, however on the identical time not get carried away from it and nonetheless keep focus. The job just isn’t finished but. We’re solely midway by way of and there’s nonetheless a lot that should occur and a lot to be achieved.”
Tennis star Roger Federer attends the Pirelli Scorching Laps occasion
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Pictures
The Italian driver additionally shared recommendation from tennis legend Roger Federer to “all the time be your self and have the ability to take pleasure in it as properly”, which he credit with serving to him develop into extra relaxed in his method.
“Whenever you perceive that you just additionally must take pleasure in it as properly, it makes the distinction, as a result of it lets you, I really feel like a minimum of in my case, drive extra relaxed, benefit from the driving extra, really feel extra the automobile, after which the efficiency simply comes a lot simpler,” Antonelli continued.
“As a substitute of while you’re chasing it, and also you’re driving tense, it is a massive distinction. However in fact, making an attempt to be your self and all the time specializing in the purpose and all the time additionally attempt to see the optimistic, even within the dangerous conditions. Even when one thing goes dangerous, there’s all the time a optimistic. That may be discovered, and that may assist you to to develop.”
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