Andrea Kimi Antonelli reflects on his first year in Formula 1 with mixed feelings. The young Italian feels that he has made significant strides as both a driver and a person during his debut season, despite the ‘downs’ that 2025 brought with it. The 17-year-old refers to 2025 as a ‘huge learning year’ and says that the added pressure actually helped him grow faster.
“This year was truly a huge learning year for me,” Kimi Antonelli tells the media in Abu Dhabi. “My first season with Mercedes was a tremendous opportunity. I was more in the spotlight and therefore felt more pressure. But it was precisely that pressure that helped me grow faster.” The Mercedes driver admits that his season was not without problems. “I’ve had my ups and downs this year and went through a long, difficult period,” he reflects. “In the end, I managed to overcome it, and that felt like a small victory. During that time, I started doubting myself and was afraid I wouldn’t get out of it.”
According to Antonelli, the season had a clear turning point: “Since Baku, we’ve been in a good flow and it’s even been fun lately.” Despite the challenging moments, he looks back with pride on what he has achieved this season. “I’m happy with the season, but even happier with how much I’ve grown and how much more mature I’ve become.” The young Italian feels ready for the coming season. “Next year, I’ll be much better prepared and have much more control over the situation.”
