Antonelli credits consistency for his 2026 F1 title campaign

Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 Formula 1 title in Mexico, then pointed to consistency as the key to his campaign. Even when the season looked rough, he said, he and Mercedes managed a decent result and limited the damage. He tried to take each race as it came.

He also identified Suzuka as the season's first turning point. Taking the championship lead there, Antonelli said, gave him extra confidence that he and Mercedes could win the title.

Antonelli said he valued the sport, each race weekend and the time he spent with Mercedes' mechanics and engineers. He tried to focus on the process rather than the bigger picture.

The weekend he clinched the title was emotionally difficult, he said. Repeated congratulations made him more aware of what he could achieve, and he thought they contributed to him being less intense and less precise in Saturday qualifying. He contrasted that with the 2026 Austin weekend, when he said he had been more aggressive and present in the moment.

With several races still to come, Antonelli said he wanted to enjoy them and help Mercedes finish the season on a high.