Daniel Ricciardo opines that Kimi Antonelli’s youth and naivety are key factors behind his success in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
With nine victories during his second year in F1, Antonelli is on the verge of clinching his first world title. To secure it at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, he simply needs to finish in ninth place, or rely on neither George Russell nor Lewis Hamilton winning.
This achievement would crown the 20-year-old as the youngest champion in F1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s existing record by more than three years.
Ricciardo, who debuted in F1 at age 22 and left the championship at 35, feels he can relate to Antonelli’s experiences—and how they contribute to his competitive edge.
“A friend asked me about Kimi Antonelli recently, and I remarked, ‘ignorance is a superpower’—what I mean is that being young is an advantage, and I certainly don’t mean to be harsh,” the Australian discussed on the Beyond The Grid podcast. “Youth is an asset; being unaware and less exposed to various circumstances helps significantly.”
“I recall my initial year with Red Bull Racing; you’re young, naïve, and unaware. At that stage, everything seems straightforward and comes naturally, and you think, ‘Wow, I’m winning; I’ll just keep on winning because I’m exceptional’.”
Ricciardo joined the main Red Bull team in the 2014 season after Mark Webber retired, partnering with Sebastian Vettel; he surprisingly achieved all three of the team’s victories that year, outshining the reigning four-time world champion in the process.
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB10, leads Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing RB10
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
There is a clear similarity in how Antonelli has eclipsed Russell this year, even with Russell holding the position of Mercedes’ leading driver.
“I don’t intend to suggest I’m on par with him, but the strength of youth can be advantageous, especially in a sport where pressure can be immense, and as time passes, one tends to carry emotional weight…” Ricciardo elaborated.
“Currently, I think he exists in that ideal phase—undeniably very skilled and really quick, yet he still hasn’t accumulated significant burdens, enabling him to just focus on racing. There’s not quite a lot happening around him, which he can thus leverage as an advantage.”
“As the years passed, things became considerably harder for me. For instance, the choice I made in 2018 to part ways with Red Bull… You start to question those decisions, and over time, you wonder ‘I haven’t really tasted success the way I envisioned it’. These thoughts keep surfacing: ‘Was that a correct choice? Was that the right path?’”
“Ultimately, it results in a build-up of various concerns, and I think by the end, I had to delve deep within myself to find motivation, whereas earlier, everything felt effortless—I didn’t have to ponder; it simply flowed.”
After claiming victory at the United States GP, Antonelli committed to preserving his approach for the remainder of the season, irrespective of his imminent title win.
“I’m going to tackle it with the same attitude, aiming to enjoy myself as much as I can, while hopefully contending for another win,” he noted. “However, it would be ideal to conclude on a high note, and that’s my objective. I’ll focus on relishing every moment of the remaining season.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
