Antonelli discloses that he received psychological support following a challenging rookie season.
"The Kimi of 2026 is better prepared"
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has disclosed that he collaborated with a psychologist over the winter following a challenging rookie season in Formula 1, which included a mid-season slump and some emotional public moments. Now 19 and entering his second season with Mercedes, he mentioned that the break was valuable for reflection and regrouping after the pressures of 2025.
"I had several sessions with my psychologist," Antonelli stated. "We reviewed what went right and what went wrong in 2025, which helped us set objectives for this year. The Kimi of 2026 is more prepared."
He noted that the focus for the upcoming season is on energy management and preventing unnecessary fatigue, highlighting a more organized time at home and an increased focus on cardio fitness in anticipation of hotter races.
Additionally, he spent part of the winter at IMG Academy in Florida training with Mercedes partner Gatorade before returning to Europe to establish a new residence in San Marino.
On the track, Antonelli shared that his initial impressions of the new Mercedes are positive, although he warned that the learning curve remains steep due to the new regulations.
"All the cars look very nice and they are fast," he commented. "I don’t believe the gaps on the grid will be as significant as many expect. We will have some close battles."
After a tough introduction to Formula 1, Antonelli stated that his main objective for 2026 is straightforward.
"I want to be able to say that I gave 100 percent and maximized my performance," he expressed. "I aim to continue growing as a person this year - that’s the ultimate goal."
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