2026-07-20 10:46:08

Kimi Antonelli admits that he could never have imagined being in such a strong position in the F1 world championship.

The Italian racer claimed victory at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday (19.07.26) to move 45 points clear of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in the title race and admits that he has been shocked by his improvement this term after a dismal race at the Spa circuit last year.

Asked if he could have envisaged this scenario in 2025, Antonelli said: “No, absolutely not.

“Last year here, I probably reached the bottom, so it was a very difficult weekend for me mentally.

“But this year was definitely a lot better. If you had asked me last year at this moment, I probably would have said no.”

Antonelli’s victory – coupled with Mercedes team-mate George Russell’s first lap retirement – gives him a healthy lead at the top of the standings but he is not thinking about the prospect of winning the world title in just his second season in the sport.

The 19-year-old driver told Sky Sports F1: “I never want to relax too much.

“Of course, it’s a great result and good redemption after last year because last year was a very dark moment for me and to get the win is very special.

“But you can never relax because we have seen in the past how the situation can swing so quickly.

“So that’s why it’s important to really maximise and take every opportunity that is given, and just make the best out of it because you never know what can happen.”

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff also revealed that the team have been “surprised” by Antonelli’s performances this season.

He said: “We’re all surprised. I think the first season came as expected. Great moments where his talent shined through, and then moments which were very difficult – the long spell of lack of results in the middle of the season, as expected.

“And then after the winter, also as expected, he knew the environment, he knew the pressures, he knew the demands of the team on the technical side, on the marketing side, knowing the tracks that we would go racing.

“But what was not expected is the serenity and structure that he brought into his game. With Kimi, whether the session was good or bad, you wouldn’t see a difference in emotions in the debrief.

“It is absolutely transactional. What is the problem? How do we solve it? How do we move on? And that is new. And I think that’s why it’s almost when he wins, you can’t see this absolute excitement that a 19-year-old would almost have.”

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