Antonelli is 'prepared' for his second year after living independently.

      "It's time to take charge of my own space."

      Kimi Antonelli has shared that he feels better equipped for his second season in Formula 1, having moved out of his family home and into his own place in San Marino. In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the 19-year-old noted that this shift in his personal life reflects an increase in his confidence on the racetrack.

      "It’s time to be the man of the house, since I live alone," said Antonelli. "Before, I stayed at my parents’ home and didn’t do much. Now I have to manage everything myself - cleaning, laundry, keeping things organized. I enjoy it."

      He appreciates having his own space to return to after demanding weeks away. Despite living independently, Antonelli emphasized his close relationship with his family, mentioning that his mother still lends him a hand. Regarding his performance on track, he expressed optimism about the early sessions with the new-generation cars, although he acknowledges that it's tough to assess actual competitiveness.

      "We seem competitive, and my initial impressions are positive," noted the Mercedes driver. "We've logged many laps without issues right from the start. However, it’s challenging to gauge where we stand against others since fuel loads and engine modes are unknown."

      Entering his second full F1 season alongside George Russell, Antonelli has not diminished his aspirations. "The objective remains the same - to be the best, to be fast, and to win - perhaps even contend for the world championship," he stated. "It won’t be easy with such a strong teammate, but the new regulations present a great opportunity. I've thought about what went wrong last year, and I feel more prepared."

      He also shared that racing alongside well-known competitors now feels routine. "Initially, sharing the track with drivers like Hamilton and Verstappen was quite striking to me. Now, I’ve gotten used to it. I have a lot of respect and admiration for them, but my goal is always to beat everyone."

      When asked who impressed him during testing, Antonelli pointed to Red Bull, highlighting their in-house power unit developed with Ford. He also complimented Ferrari's reliability and remarked that McLaren seems well-structured despite facing early setbacks.

      Regarding the cars, Antonelli mentioned that the added electrical power has significantly changed the driving experience. "The acceleration is much sharper," he explained. "The battery doesn’t last long, so when the electric power diminishes, the car tends to plateau on the straights. That’s entirely new."

      "They're lighter, more nimble, and enjoyable to drive," he added. "Slow corners feel improved compared to last year, but in high-speed corners, the lack of downforce is noticeable. Braking is also challenging, especially with active aero. However, this is just the beginning - there will be considerable progress once teams fully understand the cars."

      Summarizing his thoughts as the new season approaches, Antonelli stated: "Compared to a year ago, I know what to expect. I have a better understanding of this world. I’m ready."