Antonelli hopes for Mercedes 2026 repeat of 2014 dominance
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli hopes the team can repeat its 2014 masterclass when new F1 regulations arrive in 2026, calling a title fight a "dream." He's seen promising early development work but stresses that reliability in testing will be key, with Team Principal Toto Wolff remaining cautious about predictions.
Kimi Antonelli is hoping Mercedes can replicate their historic 2014 development success when sweeping new regulations arrive in 2026, calling the prospect of fighting for a world championship a "dream." The Italian rookie has spent significant time at the factory and says early progress on the 2026 car looks promising, but acknowledges the unknown factor of rival teams' development.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season represents Formula 1's most significant technical reset in over a decade, introducing new power units and active aerodynamics. Mercedes' mastery of the last major rule change in 2014 led to an unprecedented era of dominance. If the team can unlock a similar advantage, it could define the competitive landscape for years and offer Antonelli a championship-contending car in only his second full season.
The details:
- Antonelli has been closely involved in Mercedes' 2026 development, spending time at the factory observing progress in the wind tunnel and on the dynamometer.
- He describes the upcoming regulation changes as even bigger than those in 2014, affecting chassis, aerodynamics, and power units.
- Team Principal Toto Wolff has been cautious about predictions, refusing to acknowledge any "favorite" tag for 2026 despite the team's historical strength with new rules.
- Antonelli emphasizes that reliability in pre-season testing will be crucial for learning and development before true performance is understood.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the first pre-season test in Barcelona, where the true pecking order for the new era will begin to take shape. Antonelli's dream scenario hinges on Mercedes translating their promising development work into a reliable and fast package from the outset. While history offers a hopeful blueprint, the increased competition and scale of the 2026 changes mean nothing is guaranteed, setting the stage for one of the most unpredictable and pivotal seasons in recent F1 memory.