P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kimi Antonelli endured a mixed F1 season after his promotion to the grid this year with Mercedes.
Kimi Antonelli admitted he found it challenging to adjust to the spotlight after his full-time promotion to F1 as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes. Despite a positive start, he faced difficulties with several finishes outside the points during a mid-season blip. Antonelli acknowledged the heightened scrutiny in a top team, where mistakes are more prominent. With the team’s support, he overcame the tough period and looks forward to building momentum. Signed on for the 2026 season with teammate George Russell, Antonelli values the team’s atmosphere and anticipates progress under new technical regulations. He is optimistic about the future based on the team’s teamwork and dynamic heading into the upcoming season.
