Monza home race: Why Kimi Antonelli remains relaxed despite an engine penalty

Last year, Kimi Antonelli was going through a slump when he travelled to Monza for his home race. And even on the high-speed Italian circuit, things didn’t go to plan for the curly-haired driver, who was competing in his first GP season in 2025. In the race, he had to settle for ninth place. And Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had some critical words for the driver from Bologna.

“My protégé is making too many mistakes,” said the Viennese boss, and Antonelli responded with understanding. “He was referring to Sunday’s Grand Prix and I agree with him: it wasn’t my best race. But I’m taking it in a positive light and using it as motivation to do even better this weekend,” he explained ahead of the following race in Baku, where he got back on track with a fourth-place finish.

Kimi Antonelli is drawing on his wealth of experience

A year later, he travels to his home race at the Royal Park as the championship leader. And hopes are correspondingly high that he will make amends. Although he will have to start from the back of the grid due to the use of a new power unit, which exceeds the permitted quota. But Antonelli is relaxed. He is relying on his wealth of experience, as he emphasises in an interview with Lawrence Barretto for ‘Formula1.com’.

“Experience plays a huge role, of course. Of course, there’s still a lot I need to learn first-hand. But I think that last year’s tough moments and difficult phases helped me mature even more than I’d expected. It’s made me stronger, both emotionally and mentally,” explains the 20-year-old, looking back.

He isn’t bothered by the fact that the pressure has increased due to his role as championship leader and the popularity he enjoys in Italy and around the world. “I enjoy it,” says Antonelli. “Of course, there are times when, unfortunately, you can’t please everyone, but I try to make the best of it. I want to enjoy the race weekends as much as possible, and of course it’s intense, but at the same time I also try to have a bit of fun with the mechanics during those moments when I’m not in the car – especially on Thursdays. Because that’s the best time for it.”

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