Mercedes insider James Allison has recently discussed Kimi Antonelli’s debut Formula 1 campaign, noting the young Italian driver’s cautious approach during race weekends following a crash at Monza in 2024. The 18-year-old, who progressed through the Mercedes Driver Academy, faced challenges as he adapted to F1 competition.
Antonelli’s first experience in a Formula 1 car came during a Free Practice session at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, which ended abruptly when he hit the barriers after a few laps. This incident raised doubts about his readiness to join the Mercedes team at such an early stage.
After 14 races in the 2025 season, Allison shared how that early setback has influenced Antonelli’s mindset on track.
“We talk about this a bit internally, and it may just be more gossip than reality, but the trip into the barrier at Monza, I think that may have just left him approaching the weekends with a degree of caution as a result,” the motorsports designer stated via Mercedes-AMG Passion Club on X.
“We’ve been encouraging him to sort of trust [his talent]: ‘You can lean into that more than you think you can’. As he gets the confidence to do that, he’s finding his feet more quickly during the weekend,” he added.
Over the course of the season, Antonelli has overcome his initial hesitation and established himself as one of the more promising rookies in Formula 1. His podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix made him the third youngest driver to achieve this milestone, marking a significant step in his career development.
Kimi Antonelli’s Response to Scoring Points in a European F1 Event
Antonelli expressed his satisfaction after securing his first points at a European Grand Prix during the 2025 season. At the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, the Mercedes driver finished in 10th place, ending a difficult streak in European races. Before this event, he had failed to finish four out of six European Grands Prix, mostly due to mechanical problems.
The Hungarian weekend initially followed a similar trend, with a disappointing qualifying session threatening another poor result. However, Antonelli managed to recover strongly during the race, demonstrating improved comfort with the car after technical adjustments.
“I am really happy that my confidence in the car has come back this weekend. I leave Budapest feeling much more comfortable after moving back to the previous rear suspension. Yesterday’s Qualifying was just a shame, as the pace was clearly there. We can take this feeling into the second half of the season and look forward to it with optimism now.”
This performance has boosted Antonelli’s morale as the season progresses, providing a foundation of confidence to build on for upcoming races after a challenging start to his rookie year.
The Impact of Early Setbacks on Antonelli’s Growing Confidence
The early crash at Monza and subsequent cautious approach have shaped Antonelli’s development during his first full Formula 1 season. James Allison’s insights highlight how Mercedes has been guiding the young driver to trust his abilities more fully. As Antonelli gains familiarity and belief in his skills, his race performance is becoming more consistent and competitive.
Moving forward, overcoming initial nerves and setbacks will be crucial for Antonelli’s continued growth within the Mercedes team. His progress so far suggests that he is adapting to the pressures of Formula 1 and beginning to realize his potential on the world stage.