Kimi Antonelli heads into the F1 Qatar GP fresh off a promotion to P3 at the Las Vegas GP, following the disqualification of both McLarens.
The Italian driver has impressed in recent times by securing P4 in Baku and P5 in Singapore, while facing some difficulties in Austin, to bounce back in Mexico with a P6. During the São Paulo GP, he battled Lando Norris for the lead in the Sprint and held off Max Verstappen in the Race to claim P2 twice.
From P17 to the podium
During the F1 Las Vegas GP, despite having started P17 with soft tyres, Antonelli made an early pit stop under the VSC to change to the hard compound for the remaining 48 laps, eventually crossing the line in 4th. However, the Mercedes rookie received a five-second time penalty for a false start, dropping him behind Piastri to P5. Despite this, a McLaren double disqualification was announced a few hours after the race, promoting Antonelli to P3.
Asked whether his race execution marked his best race of 2025, Antonelli answered, “I think it was, definitely, because we executed everything very well. Obviously, the strategy was pretty crazy, but we made it stick and it was good. You know, it changed the whole race and the fact that we were able to hold on to that one-stop, it allowed us to finish where we finished at the end. So definitely, it was really good execution-wise.”
He continued: “I think also on my side, it was probably the best race of the season so far because in that stint, I was able to manage the tyres and also to put together everything I’ve learned during the season. It was nice because it just kept coming, and it was good fun.”
Tyre management and growth
The Las Vegas Street Circuit always offers a great challenge in terms of tyre temperature management. Therefore, Antonelli pitting on Lap 2 to drive on hard tyres for the remaining 48 laps is quite an achievement.
Antonelli admitted he would not have achieved the same result earlier in the season, explaining that his understanding of tyre behaviour has grown over time.
“Well, definitely, no. I wouldn’t have been able to do it at the start of the season,” he said. “I think during the season, you learn a lot. Obviously, you go through different compounds—it’s not the same compounds every race. But to be fair, the C3 has been a compound that I quite liked as well, along with the C4 and C5. So, I think just during the season, you understand—obviously track to track it’s different—but you understand the behaviour of the tyre. And you also try to explore a little bit, whether in practice or in the race, with different pushing levels and see how the tyre responds.
“Vegas was, I guess, the best execution of the season so far because I put all the learnings from previous races together. That allowed me to do a long stint and to react to the tyre getting older lap by lap. I was able – with the support of the team – to react and balance the car, especially in the last few laps and go until the end. But definitely, at the start of the season, I would have stopped instead of going until the end.”
Reflecting on mid-season struggles and redemption
Looking back at his mid-season, which saw a mix of retirements and occasional points finishes, Antonelli reflected on how he managed to turn things around and start scoring consistently.
“Oh yeah, for sure, many times,” he admitted when asked if he ever doubted himself. “Since we went on the new suspension, I struggled quite a lot, especially to adapt. George, on the other hand, despite that we lost performance with the new suspension, was able to adapt — and I struggled quite a lot more. And I just entered this negative spiral where it felt like it kept getting worse and worse, and frustration was just taking over.”
“I think my darkest moment was Spa, probably. I definitely doubted myself a lot, because obviously seeing the results not coming, you start to ask yourself if you’re good enough,” Antonelli said, recalling finishing 17th in the Sprint and P16 in the main race.
“So, it wasn’t easy, but that’s why I did a big meeting with the team after Monza. I did a big reset mentally and just tried to refocus on important stuff — on the process — and that really helped. That was a big learning as well.”
Finding his rhythm under Mercedes’ pressure
Antonelli spoke about finding the right balance between the pressure of a top-team seat and steadily building his momentum.
“Well, for sure. Definitely, being in a top team straight away means you’re under the spotlight a lot more and every little action or mistake you do is a lot more seen. Especially in the difficult period, it’s been tough.
“But together with the team — the team has never stopped supporting me. Eventually, we were able to overcome the difficult moment and start building momentum,” as seen in his recent point-finish consistency.
He concluded: “Now, also with the experience I’m gaining, I’m telling them my needs with the car and everything, and they’re helping me on that side too. We’re building momentum and there’s a really good dynamic in the team between me and George. We’ve been working together really well and that’s why I’m really looking forward to the next races and next season.”
