Patrese: Antonelli Could Challenge for F1 Title in Second Season

Former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese believes Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli could be fighting for the Formula 1 World Championship as early as his second season in the sport, drawing a parallel to Lewis Hamilton's 2008 title win in his sophomore year. The prediction hinges on Mercedes producing a competitive car under the new 2026 regulations and Antonelli maintaining his performance edge over teammate George Russell.

Why it matters:

This forecast places immense expectation on a driver with just one full season of experience, suggesting Antonelli's rookie performances have signaled a rare talent. If realized, it would mark a dramatic shift in the championship landscape, breaking the recent stranglehold of established veterans and validating Mercedes' long-term investment in its junior program.

The details:

• Patrese, a veteran of 256 Grands Prix, stated directly to Quotidiano Nazionale that Antonelli's ceiling for 2026 is "the world title!"
• His logic centers on the 2026 regulatory reset: if Mercedes builds the best car, Antonelli's primary task is to beat teammate George Russell—a feat Patrese believes the Italian has already shown he is capable of.
• Antonelli's debut 2025 season, which featured three podium finishes including a standout drive in Brazil and a recovery performance in Las Vegas, earned high praise from Patrese. He highlighted Antonelli's ability to learn quickly and absorb the mistakes that come with inexperience while showing "glimpses of absolute class."

The big picture:

The comparison to Hamilton's 2008 achievement sets a historic benchmark. Hamilton remains the last driver to win a title in his second season, a feat that cemented his superstar status. Placing similar expectations on Antonelli underscores how highly he is rated within the paddock. His rapid adaptation in 2025, competing directly with an established winner like Russell, has fueled this optimistic projection for the new regulatory era.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Mercedes' development of its 2026 car and Antonelli's continued integration into the team. The pressure will be immense, as the prediction sets a clear timeline for success. The 2026 season will ultimately test both the car's performance and Antonelli's ability to handle championship-level pressure from the outset of a new F1 era.