Kimi Antonelli’s exceptional Formula 1 championship victory was marked by several outstanding displays. But which performance stood out the most?
Antonelli clinched his first F1 championship in Mexico with four races remaining, making history as the youngest world champion ever.
Our team has selected moments that they feel transformed the Italian from a mere contender into a future world champion.
Melbourne crash response provided early insight into the new Kimi – Filip Cleeren
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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It might seem peculiar to highlight one of Antonelli’s few defeats against Russell, but his second-place finish behind the Brit at the opening round in Melbourne revealed early signs that the Antonelli arriving in Australia wasn’t the same timid rookie who faced struggles during parts of 2025.
The weekend at Albert Park proved to be one of Antonelli’s tougher events—experiencing a severe 25G crash in FP3 that appeared set to ruin his weekend. In prior years, such an incident might have hindered him, but this time the young Italian maintained composure. As Mercedes executed a complete rebuild just in time for qualifying, he managed to put the crash behind him and secure second on the grid behind Russell, even without fine-tuning the car’s setup.
During the race, Antonelli got off to a poor start, initially losing battery power which saw him drop to sixth. However, due to Mercedes’ speed advantage, he effectively managed to recover and reach second place.
“Had something similar happened to me last year, the remainder of the weekend would likely have been heavily affected,” Antonelli reflected in Austin. “With a full year of experience in Formula 1, returning the following season makes a significant difference. Things tend to come together more naturally, as you’re not overexerting yourself to make them happen.”
“I took a different approach by focusing on key aspects and ensuring I enjoyed the experience. This year, I’ve definitely felt mentally happier compared to the previous season. Additionally, having worked with the same group for a year means that entering the second year brings about a substantial change. You learn how to progress together as a team, especially after facing tough situations.”
Canadian GP: Antonelli’s definitive display – Ewan Gale
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
When F1 arrived at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Antonelli had already started to display some of the essential characteristics required for success.
This race marked the first intense tussle we witnessed between the Italian and a rival where the stakes truly mattered. Engaging for the lead with Russell during the early laps of the race illustrated that Antonelli was prepared to challenge his more seasoned teammate in the title race.
Let’s not kid ourselves; it wasn’t flawless racecraft—not by a long shot. Both drivers veered off the track and came perilously close to colliding—thankfully avoiding what could have sparked frustration for Toto Wolff.
Antonelli gained a significant position from the start in wet conditions and initially defended against Russell’s challenges, only to have the Brit take the lead on lap six, nearly getting forced off-track by the #12 as he struggled into the last chicane.
What truly stood out was how Antonelli put that aside and continued his attack. He didn’t shy away from the significant error that could have proven disastrous; it showcased the grit and enthusiasm we have come to admire in him.
This tenacity was highlighted further by an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to dive up the inside at Turn 1 on lap 13, accentuating the regulation set’s yo-yo racing patterns. Side-by-side into the final chicane on lap 24, at mere inches—perhaps centimeters—from contact, Antonelli stayed engaged in the skirmish until he had no choice but to withdraw, subsequently voicing his frustrations on team radio, much like we frequently hear from four-time champion Max Verstappen.
Russell’s race came to an abrupt conclusion when he faced a mechanical failure on lap 30 while still in front, and whether it would have led to victory had his teammate remained in contention—reminiscent of how Nico Rosberg battled against Lewis Hamilton in 2016—Antonelli made his point clear: ‘I can compete with Russell on equal terms.’
This certainly wasn’t his most polished performance during his championship journey, but the message conveyed to teammate Russell and everyone watching was loud and clear.
Monaco brilliance illustrated Antonelli’s ability to pair aggression with precision – Stuart Codling
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Since his debut in FP1 at Monza in 2024, Antonelli has emerged as one of the most captivating drivers to follow. He has a flair for pushing limits, frequently riding the edge and at times exceeding it.
In the year that he made history as the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari, Antonelli demonstrated an additional facet of his skill set that brought him closer in style to his forerunner. In an age dominated by flexible chassis and narrow tyres, Ascari epitomized consistency, executing the same line through each corner with remarkable precision, lap after lap.
The Monaco circuit, where misjudging the barriers can end in rapid disaster, was where Antonelli significantly elevated his performance level. On a weekend when Ferrari was anticipated to dominate, he secured pole position and clinched his fifth consecutive victory, under constant pressure from behind.
“We were genuinely taken aback by that speed,” Wolff remarked post-race. “The laps he was posting were two seconds quicker than the McLarens and a solid second faster than Ferrari. It was clockwork. The reasoning behind that on a track we wouldn’t have previously deemed our stronghold, remains a mystery.”
The Spa weekend that obstructed any momentum Russell had been building – Ed Hardy
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
In the earlier stages of the 2026 season, despite Antonelli’s impressive run of victories, I remained convinced that George Russell would claim the championship. It was difficult to fathom how Antonelli could have overcome such a significant points deficit—169 points from the previous year—in just one offseason. I thought he would inevitably reveal his inexperience when faced with adversity.
However, those concerns were dispelled at Belgium: arguably the first instance where he arrived at a grand prix this year facing challenges. In two of the preceding three races—Austria and Britain—Antonelli had failed to score points because of car issues, while Russell secured a win and a pair of second-place finishes, narrowing the gap to 25 points.
Russell held the upper hand, with 14 rounds still ahead on the calendar, leaving the deficit relatively minor. Just look back at last season—when late on, Oscar Piastri surged back from a larger gap of 34 points just as he lost momentum to Lando Norris.
Yet in Belgium, Antonelli remained poised and reestablished control. He topped two of the three practice sessions, earned pole position, and overcame an unfortunate VSC by slipping past a briefly leading Charles Leclerc for the win.
For Russell, qualifying fifth saw him half a second behind Antonelli, and he retired following a collision with Hamilton’s Ferrari on the first lap. The gap to his teammate increased to 50 points, making it clear where the championship was headed.
It truly isn’t about how one falters, but how one regains composure. Antonelli did just that at Spa—a weekend befitting a true champion.
Monza: A legendary comeback – Ben Vinel
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Of all the remarkable performances Antonelli delivered in 2026, this one stood out as the most formidable.
The odds were stacked against him. Norris had taken his upgraded McLaren to victory in the previous two races; Mercedes opted to give Antonelli a new power unit for his home race, resulting in a grid penalty to start from the back at a track known for easier overtaking.
Antonelli qualified seventh, as Pierre Gasly secured a surprising pole position but with Antonelli primarily aiming to provide a tow to Russell in Q3, his own outcome was secondary given the grid penalty.
Within the first two laps of the race, he climbed to 12th, but a red flag halted the race after Leclerc’s high-speed crash. After the restart, he gained four more spots, passing both Arvid Lindblad and Norris on the next lap.
With further overtakes on Gasly, Hamilton, and Piastri, Antonelli found himself trailing Verstappen and Russell by lap 15. He effortlessly overtook both of them, seizing the lead at Turn 1 on lap 18.
Russell offered a solid fight later on, leading to a gripping battle. However, the virtual safety car was deployed on lap 28, and Antonelli, on mediums, opted for another set of yellow-walled tyres; Russell, on hards, chose not to pit.
After rejoining 14 seconds behind his teammate, he quickly overtook Gasly, Norris, Hamilton, and Piastri, catching up to Russell with six laps to go. A brief detour through the gravel during a wheel-to-wheel tussle momentarily hindered his chances, but he ultimately claimed victory from 19th on the grid—only John Watson has done better, winning from 22nd in the 1983 United States Grand Prix West. Antonelli’s fastest lap was seven tenths faster than everyone else’s.
“After the second restart, I was positioned well and knew I had a shot at the win,” he noted. “So, I had confidence, especially while behind George.
“It was challenging to break away due to the strong tow. In the end, we pitted, and he stayed out, struggling with his tyres, while I was able to pick up the pace with fresher tyres and manage to secure the win.”
Would he call it the best race of his career? “The best is yet to come, but I believe this was one of my best races so far, one that I will always remember.”
Resilient Baku: Antonelli stumbled in Azerbaijan, but swiftly recovered – Jake Boxall-Legge
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Choosing a race where Antonelli complicated his situation is, without context, a bizarre selection, yet context is always essential.
When he grazed the inside wall at Turn 1 during the qualifying stages for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Antonelli had already ensured a path to Q2—though no further, as Mercedes was aware the damage was irreparable within the timeframe. He was destined to start from 16th, drawing clear parallels to the disastrous weekend Piastri faced a year prior. That race is often deemed a key turning point in the championship, as Piastri disqualified himself from qualifying, leading to his exit in the race on the initial lap.
Yet Antonelli was not inclined to dwell on such comparisons. He recognized that the Baku weekend was about limiting the damage to his championship lead, knowing that Russell was in good form and on track to win the grand prix. To minimize Russell’s potential reward, Antonelli resolved to remain in the race and opted to drive cautiously in the early laps. After this, he could let the Mercedes chassis assist him in navigating through the pack. Though he lost a position at the start, he stayed in the race—unlike Piastri’s self-sabotage the year before.
With patience, Antonelli executed a series of precise overtakes, charting his way into the top 10. The safety car induced by Alex Albon later presented Antonelli with a chance to regroup and gain more points. The commotion caused by Franco Colapinto during the restart eliminated both Norris and Gasly from his path; Antonelli subsequently surpassed Hamilton a few laps after the restart.
It was a masterclass in minimizing the impact of a challenging situation, aided undoubtedly by difficulties for those ahead of him. Still, Antonelli could easily have been caught in an incident throughout the 50-lap journey around the streets of Baku. His ability to avoid calamity and ultimately restrict Russell to a mere 15-point gain from what could have been a disastrous weekend ensured Antonelli extricated himself from a significant predicament.
F1’s emerging star displayed his true essence in the Lone Star State – Ronald Vording
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Alex Bierens de Haan / LAT Images via Getty Images
While his performance at Monza is hailed as his most unforgettable of the year—one of those spectacular days where simply being at the venue was a thrill—the US GP was likely his most impressive outing.
In Austin, the media focus was fixed on a singular topic: the chance for Antonelli to secure the world title in Texas. Though it certainly was not reminiscent of Abu Dhabi 2021, and Antonelli’s substantial lead eased much of the pressure, it was still significant for a 20-year-old in just his second season in F1.
It would have been entirely reasonable to lose his composure during the weekend of his first title shot, and given his commanding lead, the repercussions would hardly have mattered. However, the fact that Antonelli composed himself and delivered his top performance that very weekend says volumes about his character.
To be specific, his Sunday in Austin was revealing for three vital reasons. The first followed on the grid. This writer spent time beside Antonelli’s Mercedes W17. The world champion-in-waiting looked up at the screens, spotting himself and fans, bringing a smile and a friendly wave. This youthful exuberance is characteristic of him, and as Verstappen aptly noted in Mexico, his greatest quality as a person is maintaining his friendly and playful nature despite the triumphs and pressure. It’s our hope that this trait remains intact.
The second aspect showcasing Austin’s importance lies in his sheer performance, demonstrating how Antonelli executed on the track. Despite the anxiety and potential nerves associated with his impending world title, the Italian was flawless. In fact, starting from the slightly sloped grid at Circuit of the Americas, he arguably made his finest start of the season. His pace thereafter was equally remarkable; he made it a personal mission to avoid any track limit violations, successfully executing this apart from a minor incident with Carlos Sainz.
The overall result culminated in his most comprehensive and mature F1 race to date, occurring on the very weekend that presented his first opportunity to claim the title. This underlines his capabilities, leading to the third observation: Antonelli was modest about taking personal credit. When questioned in the post-race press conference regarding how he manages the pressure, Antonelli did what he consistently does: he emphasized the contributions of his father, family, and those supporting him at Mercedes.
This attitude is commendable and humble, yet Austin underscored one clear reality: Antonelli deserves substantially more recognition than he is willing to accept. Modesty is indeed a virtue, but there is no need for him to downplay his achievements. That’s a task we’re glad to undertake.
