Kimi Antonelli has admitted that he could not have imagined being a dominant force a year ago when he was at the bottom of the rookie season. His win at the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes moved him 45 points clear of Lewis Hamilton at the top of the standings, after 10 of 22 races.

Antonelli, now 19, endured a chastening spell in 2025, finishing above ninth only once in ten races and suffering an engine failure in Barcelona and a wheel‑guard loss at Silverstone. The setbacks kept him out of the points and tested his mental resilience.

Asked after his sixth victory, Antonelli said, “No, absolutely not. Last year I reached rock bottom; this year was a lot better.” He stresses never relaxing, citing past swings and the need to maximise every opportunity, as the title race tightens.

Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s consistency and composure, noting that the 19‑year‑old’s calm debriefs and problem‑solving approach surprised everyone. Wolff highlighted that the driver’s level‑headedness after the Barcelona and Silverstone reliability issues has become a key factor in his early success.