(Motorsport-Total.com) – That Kimi Antonelli leads the Formula 1 World Championship so clearly at the 2026 summer break comes as a surprise to many observers also because the Italian had considerable difficulties in his first season in the top class a year ago to get used to the new environment.
Read more «Inspiration»: McLaren tries to understand Ferrari’s update strategy
Antonelli did secure three podiums for Mercedes in his rookie season 2025. However, teammate George Russell stood on the podium nine times in total, achieved two wins, and left Antonelli clearly behind in the championship with 319:150 points.
At the 2026 summer break, the Italian is now 59 points ahead of Russell as the championship leader. When asked whether Mercedes themselves are surprised that Antonelli has made such a big step, deputy team principal Bradley Lord answers: “The answer is no and yes.”
He emphasizes: “We signed Kimi and made the decision to bring him into the team because we believed in his potential.” Mercedes brought Antonelli into the top class in 2025 at just 18 years old and after only one season in Formula 2.
Several learning years packed into one season in 2025
“But it is also undeniable that it is incredibly impressive when a driver already shows such consistent performances in his second season in Formula 1 and displays genuine and calm maturity,” Lord stresses.
According to the deputy team principal, the difficult first season in Formula 1 was perhaps even helpful. He explains: “It’s almost as if he managed to learn as much in one season as usually in several, and as if all of that solidified over the winter.”
Interim reports: The best Formula 1 drivers at the summer break
Especially in the phase before the summer break, Antonelli barely got a foothold in 2025. Between Imola and Spa, he missed the points six times in seven races. Only in the second half of the season did his performances stabilize again.
Read more McLaren admits: Ferrari an «inspiration» for the upgrades
With two consecutive podiums in Brazil and Las Vegas, Antonelli already indicates that his form curve could point upwards in 2026. Lord also explains: “I am sure that the restart factor due to the new rules also plays a certain role.”
Will Antonelli break Vettel’s record in 2026?
Because with the completely new Formula 1 regulations this year, it was clear “that every driver goes through a steep learning curve with new cars and new power units.” According to Lord, Antonelli could have benefited from this circumstance.
“In my opinion, this has created a new balance across the field between the newer drivers in the sport and the older drivers in the teams,” says the deputy Mercedes team principal.
Formula 1 Quiz
How many finishes has the Mercedes team achieved in Formula 1?
Test yourself now in the Formula 1 quiz and compare yourself with other users
“Kimi has obviously done an excellent job and continues to do so, and you can see how his confidence grows from weekend to weekend,” he praises and at the same time emphasizes that the 19-year-old still “has both feet firmly on the ground.”
Antonelli, who will celebrate his 20th birthday at the end of August, could become by far the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1 this year. So far, Sebastian Vettel holds this record. The German was “already” 23 years old when he won his first title in 2010.
Read more Formula 1 teams that changed their design during the season