How a post-Italian GP meeting transformed Kimi Antonelli's rookie F1 season

Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli credits a frank post-race meeting after a dismal Italian Grand Prix for sparking a mental reset that salvaged his 2025 Formula 1 season. Following a promising start, including a sprint pole in Miami, Antonelli's campaign was derailed by a problematic Mercedes suspension update and the mounting pressure of the European leg. The low point came at Monza, where a practice crash and a lackluster race to ninth place prompted team boss Toto Wolff to label the weekend "underwhelming." A subsequent, honest conversation with Wolff and race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington became the catalyst for Antonelli's late-season resurgence.

Why it matters:

A rookie's ability to navigate severe performance slumps and intense scrutiny is a critical test of their long-term potential in Formula 1. Antonelli's experience highlights the non-technical, psychological battles drivers face and how effective team support can pivot a season from failure to a foundation for future success.

The details:

• Antonelli's struggles were multifaceted, stemming from a loss of confidence due to an ill-fated Mercedes suspension update and the mental drain of increased interest and criticism during the European races.
• The Monza weekend was a nadir. An off-track excursion in practice set a negative tone, leading to a race where he slipped backwards and finished behind fellow rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
• The pivotal meeting involved Wolff and Bonnington delivering direct, constructive criticism about his Monza performance. Antonelli described it as a moment that made him decide to "reset and start from scratch."
• The mental shift coincided with Mercedes reverting to its previous suspension specification at the following race in Zandvoort, providing a technical platform to match his renewed mindset.

The big picture:

Antonelli's season arc—from early promise, through a deep slump, to a recovery with podiums in Sao Paulo and Las Vegas—is a classic rookie narrative. Finishing seventh in the standings after such turbulence is seen as a solid outcome. The experience forged a mental resilience he believes will be invaluable, transforming a period of crisis into a "tough but useful test" that provides a stronger base for his 2026 campaign.

What's next:

With the difficult rookie year behind him, Antonelli heads into his second F1 season with hard-earned perspective. His key takeaway and advice to his past self is to "trust your instincts more" and adopt a "'killer' mentality" every time he gets in the car. The lessons from 2025's lows are now integral to his approach as he aims to establish himself as a consistent front-runner for Mercedes.