Andrea Kimi Antonelli reflects on the highs and lows of his 2025 F1 rookie season

Andrea Kimi Antonelli's debut Formula 1 season with Mercedes was a turbulent journey of immense pressure, public scrutiny, and a mid-season crisis that required a complete mental reset. The 19-year-old Italian ultimately emerged stronger, securing a podium and proving his resilience, solidifying Mercedes' faith in him as Lewis Hamilton's long-term successor.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's rookie year was less about immediate results and more about proving he could handle the immense pressure of driving for a top team. His ability to navigate public criticism, technical setbacks, and self-doubt to finish the season strongly validates Mercedes' high-risk, high-reward decision to fast-track him to F1. His experience lays a crucial foundation for his development as Mercedes builds towards the 2026 regulation changes.

The details:

• Antonelli describes his season in three distinct phases: a positive learning period from Melbourne to Montreal, a severe mid-season slump after Canada, and a strong recovery starting from Baku.
• The low point was the European summer, where struggles with the car's new suspension and mounting external pressure led to a loss of confidence and direction. The weekend at Spa was cited as particularly difficult.
• A pivotal post-Monza meeting with Team Principal Toto Wolff and race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington provided the constructive criticism needed for a mental reset. Returning to a previous suspension specification at Zandvoort also provided a technical boost.
• Key highlights included his first podium in Canada, a pole position for the Miami Sprint, and a breakthrough feeling of being "on autopilot" during a long stint in Las Vegas, where he experienced a pure, instinctive driving state.

Between the lines:

The interview reveals the intense psychological toll of a modern F1 season, especially for a rookie replacing a legend. Antonelli candidly discusses the weight of representing 2,000 team members, the distraction of social media abuse—particularly after being overtaken by Lando Norris in Qatar—and the challenge of learning to say 'no' to off-track demands to preserve mental energy. His admiration for teammate George Russell's performance became a vital benchmark, helping him understand the car's limits and his own areas for improvement.

What's next:

Antonelli heads into the off-season focused on rest and reflection, with immense excitement for the 2026 regulatory reset. He views the new rules as a great opportunity and believes success will hinge on which team and driver can understand the new car's balance first. Having built a foundation of hard-won experience, his goal for the new era is clear: to fight for victories and be in championship contention.