Marco Antonelli says Kimi grew stronger on road to F1 title

Kimi Antonelli’s first Formula 1 title followed a difficult period in which he restarted, learned from the experience and improved, his father Marco says. Marco told Sky Sports F1 that Kimi grew stronger “step by step”.

The 20-year-old clinched the championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix with third place behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. He started fourth and later took third from Charles Leclerc; the points advantage was enough to secure the title, making him Italy’s first world champion in 73 years.

Looking back on Kimi’s 2025 season, Marco said stepping into a car of a seven-time world champion made it difficult to maintain performance without feeling pressure.

Marco described his relationship with Kimi as special and said his son, still young, needed someone he trusted beside him in difficult moments and happy ones. He said he had done nothing special, only what he believed a father should do for his son and family.

Marco had supported Kimi throughout his motorsport career and was in the Mercedes garage at times during 2026. After getting out of the car, Kimi ran to his family. Marco said he had sometimes recognised his son’s ability but could never have known he would become world champion. On F1 TV, he recalled telling Kimi, “you are the champion”; he said he cried.