Kimi Antonelli reflects on mid-season crisis and recovery in rookie F1 year

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has opened up about a severe mid-season confidence crisis during his debut F1 campaign, admitting he feared he wouldn't recover from a dramatic performance slump. The Italian driver's turnaround after reverting to an older car specification highlights the psychological challenges young drivers face when expectations collide with technical reality.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's candid confession reveals the intense pressure faced by highly-touted rookies replacing legends like Lewis Hamilton. His experience underscores how technical missteps can devastate a driver's confidence, and how mental resilience often separates promising talents from those who fade under F1's spotlight. For Mercedes, managing both car development and driver psychology proved crucial in salvaging their season.

The details:

• Antonelli's difficult period began after Mercedes introduced a new rear suspension package at Imola in May, intended to improve the W16's aerodynamic platform.
• The change backfired, creating instability that "took all confidence from the drivers" according to team principal Toto Wolff.
• During a five-race European stretch, Antonelli felt "everything was just falling apart" as his early-season promise evaporated.
• The pressure intensified when Wolff publicly acknowledged Antonelli's struggles, creating what the driver called a "snowball effect" of frustration.
• A critical reset came after discussions with Wolff and engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington following the Italian Grand Prix, helping Antonelli compartmentalize his struggles.

The big picture:

Antonelli's rookie season followed a classic F1 narrative arc: initial promise, mid-season crisis, and late recovery. His three podiums and 150 points ultimately helped secure Mercedes' third place in the constructors' championship, but the journey exposed the delicate balance between car development and driver psychology. The team's decision to revert to previous suspension specs after six races proved pivotal, restoring both performance and driver confidence.

What's next:

With his confidence crisis behind him, Antonelli enters his second season "much more prepared and much more in control of the situation." The lessons learned during his turbulent rookie year could prove invaluable as Mercedes continues developing its 2026 car. For Antonelli, the challenge shifts from survival to consistency, as he aims to convert hard-earned maturity into regular podium challenges alongside teammate George Russell.