Kimi Antonelli says he feels stronger and more in control

 Kimi Antonelli is preparing for the next phase of the Formula One season.

Kimi Antonelli said he feels stronger and more in control as he looks to keep raising his level in his second Formula One season. The Mercedes driver has also said his expectations this year are different, with more focus on the present than on long-term targets.

Antonelli’s rise has been rapid. He entered 2026 already carrying momentum from an impressive start to his F1 career and has since turned that into a championship lead. Mercedes has continued to back the young Italian as he settles further into life at the front of the grid.

The 18-year-old has also built on a strong early run with a pair of wins in China and Japan, results that put him top of the standings. Those performances have lifted his profile quickly and made him one of the main stories of the season.

His latest remarks suggest a driver gaining confidence as the calendar moves on. The challenge now is sustaining that level while the pressure around the championship grows