Kimi opens up: “When I go home to my room, I feel the need to disconnect from motorsports. I’ll soon be living on my own, but I’m a disaster at housework. What have I learned this season? To listen to myself”
His eyes, when he talks about his dreams, are always the same. So are the curly locks that frame a face that tells the whole story of his nineteen years. “I don’t feel like I’ve changed; I’ve just grown up,” admits Andrea Kimi Antonelli, reflecting on his debut year in Formula 1 with Mercedes. “I’ve learned so much, and this is just the beginning.” A marathon of a year, marked by the ups and downs that allowed him “to become a true F1 driver,” under the media spotlight of someone called upon to debut in the top tier with a top team, inheriting Lewis Hamilton’s seat.
How did this first season go?

“A year of ups and downs. I went through a whirlwind of events, difficulties, and successes, and looking back, I can say I’m happy because I managed to get through tough moments, like the dip in performance mid-season. It was a lesson I’ll carry with me throughout my career because it allowed me to make a mental leap that will serve me well in the future.“

What didn’t Kimi know about Formula 1 a year ago?

”He didn’t know how to trust his instincts. I’ve learned to listen to myself more—even in terms of driving—and to stay focused without thinking only about the final result. At times this year, I let frustration get the better of me and approached decisive moments with the wrong mindset, thinking more about defense than attack.”

What was the turning point that helped you bounce back after the difficult mid-season slump?

“The switch back to the old rear suspension definitely helped a lot. Then, after Monza, I had a meeting with Toto and Bono, my engineer, who told me what was wrong with my approach and helped me figure out how to do a real mental reset.”

Do people cry in Formula 1?

“I cry. During that difficult period, I cried a lot. It was really tough, especially mentally, because I started doubting myself. You arrive in Formula 1—it’s the dream of your life, what you’ve worked so hard for—and after a great start to the season, things stop going the way you want them to. It was tough. And I also lacked the composure and clarity that more experienced drivers have in handling a difficult moment.“

There were also many satisfying moments. The most significant?

”There were so many great moments. The first weekend in Melbourne was special: on the grid before the start, I realized my dream was coming true. Then there was my first pole position in Miami in the Sprint, my first podium in Canada, but also Brazil with the second-place finish, and I’d add Las Vegas because that’s where I felt for the first time that I could tackle a race by following only my instincts, almost as if everything else didn’t exist.”

How do you sleep the night before a Grand Prix?

“Sometimes the adrenaline keeps you up: in Brazil, for example, starting from the front row, I tossed and turned in bed for hours before falling asleep. Then there are times when I’m so angry about how things went in qualifying that I can’t wait to go to sleep so I don’t have to think about it.”

When you go home to your room in Bologna, do you feel like the same guy you were a year ago?

“Partly, yes. After all, I’m only 19, and my room at home with my family is where my dreams were born. I still need peace and quiet, to feel close to my mom, my dad, and my little sister. Then when I’m home, I like to hang out with my friends, talk about normal stuff, take a break from motorsport, sleep, and eat away from hotels. I may be a Formula 1 driver, but I’m still just a guy my age.”

And how does he handle household chores?

“A disaster. I have to learn because I’ll soon be living on my own for good, but I don’t know how to do laundry, clean, or cook… I hope my mom will still come help me because I’m not at all handy as a “man of the house.” You see, people say I’m very mature for my age, but when it comes to these things, I have everything to learn.”

What role did your father play this year, since we often saw him by your side?

“I grew up as a driver with him, so it was essential to have him with me in F1 too. Next year he won’t be there, because I’ve already gained experience, but knowing that I can count on him—as well as my mom, my sister, and my girlfriend—is very important.”

Has your relationship with Toto Wolff changed?

“Toto has known me since I was a child, and we have a special bond that has grown stronger this year. He’s been able to push me—and even be tough on me—when I needed it. He’s the best at what he does; I’m sure of it.“

And what about your teammate George Russell?

”We have a good relationship based on healthy competition. Obviously, it’s changed over the course of the year because you always want to beat your teammate, but healthy competition is always a good thing within a team.”

What are your thoughts on 2026?

“There’s a lot of uncertainty: we know where we stand as a team, but we can’t know where our rivals are. I’m spending a lot of time at the factory in England, in the wind tunnel and on the simulator, to see the car’s progress. It’s great to be part of this period of evolution and creation of the new project; I’m very excited and can’t wait to see where we stand compared to our rivals.”

Given that we’ll be starting from scratch with the new regulations, do you think this could be an important opportunity for you young drivers?

“I think so. Ground-effect cars aren’t easy to drive, especially at the beginning: it’s hard to get the most out of them; they’re physically demanding, very complex… so switching to something very different, as we’ll see with the upcoming regulations, will be great because it’ll require everyone to adapt, work hard, and be flexible.“

Verstappen called you a talent. How does that feel?

”It’s a huge honor. We’ve built a wonderful relationship with him this year, and he’s been a mentor to all of us rookies. I consider him an extraordinary driver, and receiving these compliments from him is special to me. The best part is that we can talk about so many things we enjoy besides Formula 1, like GT racing, which is a passion we both share.”

Among the greats he can call friends is Valentino Rossi. Did he give you any useful advice?

“He told me to do my best and always stay true to myself. The best part, though, is being able to spend time with him: we went together to Misano to watch the MotoGP, and I want to ask him to swap helmets with me at the end of the year; that would be really great for me. We’ve also gone karting together in the past with the guys from VR46, and I’ll try to organize another day because we have so much fun together.“

Is there a track day planned with Sinner as well?

”We’ll organize it! It would be great to go both karting and in GTs, because he’s a huge fan and they say he’s pretty fast too.” 

What amazes you about him?

“His mental strength and composure in the game’s tough moments. He manages to turn situations around on the field by finding a killer instinct within himself. It’s something every athlete would want to have.”

You are two young Italians who are bringing great excitement to our country. What does that mean to you?

“It’s incredible; it’s a great honor. But for me, I want this to be just the beginning; I still have a lot to prove.”

As an Italian, do you dream of driving a Ferrari one day?

“For me, Mercedes is everything: they believed in me and helped me grow. I want to win with them.“

The season has been long and intense. Is there time for a little vacation now?

”Yes, but I’ll stay home. We’ll start preparing for 2026 very soon, so it’ll be important to recharge my batteries as much as possible, eat some good Italian food, and clear my head for a while.”

What gift would you like to find under the Christmas tree?
“To have a car that lets us fight up front. To win races and maybe, who knows, even fight for the World Championship. The team is pushing really hard to give us the best car, and it’ll be up to me to try to do the rest.”