Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli emerged from a rollercoaster Japanese Grand Prix weekend with a renewed sense of optimism, describing his performance as a “good boost of confidence” after a mentally taxing few days at the iconic Suzuka circuit.
The 18-year-old Italian, in only his third race with the Silver Arrows, made Formula 1 history by becoming the youngest driver ever to lead a Grand Prix. His standout performance on Sunday, which included leading the race and setting the fastest lap, marked a significant turnaround from a difficult start to the weekend. Antonelli finished an impressive P6, just 1.3 seconds behind teammate George Russell, bringing his season points tally to 30.
“It was a really tough weekend to begin with,” Antonelli admitted post-race. “Starting so far back makes it hard to switch your mindset. Mentally, it was quite challenging, but I’m so much happier with how it ended. Qualifying went well, and today I took another step forward in my driving. It’s definitely a positive heading into the next race.”
Antonelli’s journey through the weekend was anything but straightforward. A shaky start saw him grappling with the car’s setup and his own expectations, but his resilience shone through. By the time the checkered flag waved, he had not only silenced doubters but also etched his name into the record books.
The young driver’s ability to keep pace with the more seasoned Russell underscored his potential as a future star for Mercedes. Team insiders praised his composure under pressure, especially given the demanding nature of Suzuka’s high-speed layout.