Antonelli credits tough rookie season for current Formula One success

Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Italian driver, believes his current dominant streak in Formula One, which could extend to six consecutive wins, is a direct result of the "tough lessons" he absorbed during his 2025 rookie season with Mercedes. Antonelli has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2026 season, surpassing his experienced teammate George Russell and setting new records as the youngest championship leader and Monaco Grand Prix victor.

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I think the year of experience itself has been playing a massive role, just making your own experiences and understanding what's good and what's not good for you during the weekend and outside the weekend.

"The year of experience itself has been playing a massive role, just making your own experiences and understanding what's good and what's not good for you during the weekend and outside the weekend," Antonelli told reporters ahead of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. He explained that having completed a rookie season allows drivers to better understand track evolution and the overall structure of a race weekend, enabling more effective energy management.

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Having done it the year before plays already a massive difference because you know better the track evolution during the session, you know better how the weekend is structured as well, so you're also able to balance your energies in a better way.

Antonelli admitted to experiencing self-doubt during a difficult phase of his 2025 European season. However, 2026 has presented a different narrative. "You mature a lot after one year of Formula One, not only as a driver but also as a person. And I think also last year during the difficult period, I got to know myself better," he said. "Considering how bad it was in the moment, actually I'm very grateful that it happened because it made me grow a lot and it taught me a lot about myself as well. I think this year, so far, I haven't been questioning or doubting myself."

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It's all little things that at the end of the day play a massive role.

Last year, Antonelli finished seventh overall with 150 points, significantly behind Russell's 319. He also suffered four retirements in six races. This season, however, Antonelli's speed and confidence have impressed many, including four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Verstappen noted Antonelli's ability to find consistency at such a young age as "very impressive." "Of course in a rookie season you have to make mistakes, but then of course it's about how you learn from them. And I think he's doing that very well," Verstappen added.

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You mature a lot after one year of Formula One, not only as a driver but also as a person. And I think also last year during the difficult period, I got to know myself better.