Mercedes is actively supporting Kimi Antonelli as he navigates his first Formula 1 season in 2025, encouraging him to focus on the valuable lessons gained rather than setbacks. The Italian driver, just 18 years old, entered the F1 arena this year with Mercedes amid significant anticipation due to his junior career success.
Although his 2024 Formula 2 results were less remarkable, Antonelli underwent a demanding preparation program, including Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) with Mercedes. The team named him as Lewis Hamilton’s successor after the seven-time world champion departed to race for Ferrari.
Moments of promise highlight Antonelli’s rookie season
Antonelli’s rookie year has revealed glimpses of his potential with notable accomplishments, such as securing his first pole position in the Sprint event at the Miami Grand Prix and achieving a podium finish in Canada. His most impressive performance came at the season opener in Australia, where he finished fourth in challenging mixed weather conditions.
Despite five points-paying finishes in the initial six races, the second quarter of the season posed difficulties. Mercedes introduced car upgrades that complicated the W16’s development, including removing a rear suspension feature added earlier at Imola. This technical backtrack coincided with a decline in Antonelli’s confidence behind the wheel.
Confidence dip becomes evident during Belgian Grand Prix
The Belgian Grand Prix illustrated the struggles the young driver faced, as Antonelli openly admitted experiencing a lack of confidence in pushing the car. He explained his tendency to drive artificially and forced, eventually leading to a spin that deepened his unease.
“It’s a difficult moment for me because I feel like I have no confidence in pushing,”
—Kimi Antonelli, F1 Driver
Following that, he added,
“With the way I’m driving, I’m just increasing the problem. And that gives me even less confidence with the car.”
—Kimi Antonelli, F1 Driver
This turmoil risked escalating early in his career, making the team’s experience and support critical in helping Antonelli regain composure and mental stability.
Mercedes commitment to nurturing Antonelli’s confidence and growth
Mercedes has maintained a strong support system around Antonelli, fully aware of the psychological pressures faced by a rookie. Bradley Lord, a team representative, underlined the importance of this approach during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“I think every human being responds positively to knowing they have the support of their team and the belief of their team, and you know that that group has faith in them,”
—Bradley Lord, Mercedes Team Representative
Lord emphasized that while honest feedback is part of the process, the key is fostering a positive environment that bolsters confidence and promotes collective effort. He highlighted the team‘s stance throughout Antonelli’s debut year, stressing the importance of viewing challenges as part of a developmental trajectory rather than solely focusing on results.
“So that’s been the case all the way through this first season. It was the case last season as well, as we were building towards it. You’ve got to not get too lost in the moment and step back and see this all as part of a learning curve and a development trajectory, which is what this year is all about.”
—Bradley Lord, Mercedes Team Representative
After removing the rear suspension upgrade, both Antonelli and teammate George Russell showed improvements, as seen in Budapest. Antonelli’s tenth-place finish was below expectations but attributed more to execution than overall pace, and he appeared more reassured entering the summer break.
Technical setbacks impacting driver confidence and performance
Lord acknowledged the difficulties faced by both young drivers due to the W16’s handling quirks, stating that uncertainty in committing to corners affected their confidence and results. He clarified that the performance dip was linked primarily to the car rather than any deficiency in Antonelli’s abilities, aside from his natural need to accumulate F1 experience.
“We know that a rookie season has ups and downs, and it’s full of learning – that’s going to be the positive learnings and the positive surprises, and also the more difficult moments,”
—Bradley Lord, Mercedes Team Representative
Lord described the approach as encouraging Antonelli to focus on the learning process and rebuilding confidence gradually by deeply engaging with the team and engineers. Ensuring Antonelli understands how to maximize the car’s performance under evolving conditions remains a priority.
“There’s full honesty on where we are and what we can improve, and then full support in that process of improving on the technical side, to give the drivers the tool that they need to deliver performance, and then for them to achieve that delivery.”
—Bradley Lord, Mercedes Team Representative
Antonelli’s personal reflection on managing frustration and growth
Although Antonelli has not yet secured a contract for 2026, it is expected he will continue with Mercedes. The driver has openly discussed how Mercedes helps prevent him from becoming overwhelmed by frustration. After expressing his emotions at Spa, he noted that releasing his feelings was beneficial.
“Sometimes the best way is just to let it all out, and instead of keeping it for yourself, because I think, in some cases, it’s just gonna hurt even more,”
—Kimi Antonelli, F1 Driver
“I was very frustrated with my performances, because I feel like the potential is just so much higher than what I’ve been showing, so definitely, I was really frustrated, and it was a good moment to let it all out. It definitely made me feel much better afterwards.”
—Kimi Antonelli, F1 Driver
Since his impressive third place in Canada, Antonelli has struggled to replicate strong results, but both the driver and Mercedes remain optimistic about his ability to learn and recover in the latter half of the season.
Evaluating Antonelli’s rookie journey under Mercedes’ guidance
Antonelli, about to turn 19, has neither underperformed nor surged spectacularly as some F1 rookies have done, such as Max Verstappen. As the first rookie Mercedes has entrusted since its 2010 return to Formula 1, his development process is under particular scrutiny, prompting questions about whether challenges have surpassed initial expectations.
Bradley Lord rejected the notion that the process has been harder than expected. He explained that entering Formula 1 is inherently demanding, especially under the extensive expectations at Mercedes. The team made a conscious decision knowing the demands and has committed to supporting Antonelli in realizing his potential within this high-pressure environment.
“The more you can give a rookie driver a car that they can be confident in, that is predictable, where they can access the performance with confidence, the easier that process will be – that’s where we have fallen down in the second quarter of the season, and hopefully we can find a better direction as we go forward.”
—Bradley Lord, Mercedes Team Representative
Outlook for Antonelli and Mercedes moving forward
Mercedes’ strategy focuses on providing Antonelli with a car that fosters trust and consistency, allowing his natural talent to flourish. The summer break presents an opportunity for reflection and regrouping, with the team aiming to identify technical improvements that will enhance car balance and performance before the championship resumes.
Antonelli’s rookie season will continue to be pivotal as the team works to transform his promising flashes into regular competitiveness. His progression will not only impact his own career trajectory but also shape Mercedes’ approach toward nurturing future talent amid Formula 1’s evolving landscape.