Kimi Antonelli joined the F1 grid this year as the youngest rookie.
It has been a season of ups and downs for the young Italian. He scored his first podium at the Canadian GP; however DNF’d at his home race at the Emilia Romagna GP. He currently sits in P7 in the championship, and is the highest placed rookie driver so far.
Now over halfway through his F1 rookie season, Kimi Antonelli has recently returned to the Mercedes headquarters to answer some questions from his fellow team members.
Bouncing Back from Europe
The European leg of the season was difficult for Antonelli. He faced a range of difficulties over the races, which led to him DNF’ing at four of the races. He also only scored points on three occasions.
Speaking to the team at Mercedes, Antonelli revealed that he has worked closely with his Race engineer, Bono, to help change his mindset for the second part of the season.
“After Monza, I did a big meeting with Bono and the engineers. I got a little kick in the butt, but it was what I needed, honestly.”
“Now I’m back on the right track, with the right mindset, and focusing on the process, on the basics, trying to drive well, put things together, and then I know the result will come by itself.”
“We had a couple of good weekends [in Singapore and Baku], which is important, bringing points for the team.”
“The car has been very, very strong, which is very promising. Now six races to go. We pull away from Ferrari and Red Bull as well. That’s the most important.”
“It’s going to be important to keep bringing points, perform well. And to get the P2 in the Constructors’ Championship”
Working with Bono
Antonelli’s race engineer for the season is Peter Bonnington, most commonly known as Bono. He previously acted as Lewis Hamilton’s engineer before his move to Ferrari.
Bono is an extremely experienced race engineer and has been using this to help guide Antonelli throughout the season.
“It’s a massive privilege to be able to work with Bono. He has so much knowledge, and every time he brings such an important input on my job and my work.“
“It’s been crucial. Also, especially during the races, the way he speaks to me is very important. Most of the time, it makes a difference. It’s been good so far. I’ve been having a lot of fun with him.“
“I’m looking forward to getting some good results for the end of the season.”
His relationship with Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas has been working at Mercedes as their reserve driver for the 2025 season. He previously drove for the team and left at the end of 2021 to make room for George Russell.
Recently, it has been announced that he is to join Cadillac on the grid in 2026. Antonelli shared how supportive Bottas has been, and how happy he is to see him get a full-time seat.
“It’s been good with Valtteri; he has been having a big impact. In Singapore, we went cycling together on track.”
“I’m really happy for him that he got a seat next year; he deserves to have another shot and to see him on the grid is going to be nice.”
“We’ve been working well together and looking forward to the next few races as well. He has been having a lot of input for me, especially at tracks I didn’t know before.”
Finishing the 2025 season
There are now only 6 races left of Antonelli’s rookie season as we look towards the end of the 2025 F1 season. Whilst McLaren may have won the contractors championship, there is a still a lot to play for. Mercedes are currently sitting P2 in the championship, and are looking to keep hold of this position.
Going into these final races, Antonelli told the team that he is looking to have clean weekends to keep pushing to secure P2 in the championship.
“If I focus on how I’ve been doing in the past two weekends on trying to drive well, maximizing the result, then everything else is going to come by itself.”
“I think in Singapore, it was very possible to go on the podium. Looking at the pace we had in Q3, I turned into Colin McRae because I was more sideways than straight because I was pushing a bit too much!”
“I think with a cleaner lap, I would have started more in front and then would have been a different story.”
“But it is so nice to come back to the factory and see you all, and I want to thank everyone for their continuous hard work.”
“We have to keep pushing, and as a driver, I’m going to try to do my best to contribute and get that P2 in the championship.”
“It’s very important for me, but also for everyone in Brackley, because everyone here deserves it so much.”
