The moment Antonelli knew he had been transformed as an F1 driver
Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli reflects on his dominant 2026 season, attributing his success to a significant mental shift and improved comfort in his Mercedes car. Despite a difficult debut year, he currently leads the championship by 81 points.
Why it matters
Antonelli's rapid development highlights the impact of psychological maturity and team dynamics on performance in elite professional sports.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship by 81 points going into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
F1 Correspondent Published 5 hours ago Kimi Antonelli says he knew from the first moment he drove this year's Mercedes that he would be transformed as a Formula 1 driver in 2026.
The 20-year-old Italian, who is running away with the world championship in only his second season in F1, is reflecting on his breakthrough year in the sport in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport.
A difficult debut season last year had left external expectations of Antonelli low at the start of 2026. But on a typically damp and cold January day at Silverstone, he already sensed that something special might be on the cards.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in