Nico Rosberg Shares His Advice for Kimi Antonelli to Secure the F1 Championship: ‘Stay Off Instagram, Ignore the News’

      Peter J Fox via Getty

      The most significant news and reviews in the automotive world, with no fluff.

      Our daily newsletter delivers the stories that truly matter directly to your inbox every weekday.

      What must Formula 1's youngest and most exciting star, Kimi Antonelli, achieve to secure the World Drivers’ Championship? Is it merely about winning races? Not quite. Although Mercedes’ rising star is having a stellar season, having clinched four consecutive victories thus far, it’s inevitable that he will face challenges. Eventually, there will be an accident, a mechanical failure, or an error on his part. When that happens, the 19-year-old Italian needs to be in the right state of mind to process the situation and swiftly move on—something that 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg understands very well.

      I spoke with Rosberg in Miami, where the former F1 champion turned investor was present for the Grand Prix and to promote Barilla’s new F1-themed pasta. Even with a delightful dinner, prepared by Chef Massimo Bottura, he was eager to discuss the current buzz: Antonelli.

      Sona Maleterova, Andrej Ivanov via Getty

      “Kimi is already shouldering the hopes of his entire nation, Italy, and has countless fans around the globe due to his likable, authentic, and youthful persona, but he must exercise caution,” Rosberg told The Drive. “He really needs to switch off everything and focus on his purpose here, which is to drive fast from one race to the next without dwelling on the championship. His focus should solely be on each upcoming race.”

      Rosberg believes that it’s entirely feasible for a 19-year-old to become an F1 champion. However, he strongly cautioned that Antonelli must manage his “frame of mind” and ignore the distractions to be fully prepared for pressure and challenges. He discussed how relentless distractions like social media and Netflix can hinder a driver’s concentration, especially during tumultuous times with results and self-confidence. Despite the advantages and attention that these channels bring to the sport, all media, marketing, and sponsorship obligations ultimately weigh heavily on the drivers.

      “The entertainment aspect of F1 has grown significantly due to social media and Netflix,” he mentioned. “There’s an added dynamic that seems great from the outside! But from the inside, it’s quite overwhelming. As a driver, you want to race cars, yet there’s an entire extraordinary machine surrounding it that can sometimes be too much.”

      “Of course, you value the support from fans, which contributes to the extraordinary salaries drivers receive now, so that’s understandable, but it can still feel overwhelming,” Rosberg added. “It’s tough to satisfy everyone; it really is.”

      Bryn Lennon via Getty

      Identified as a talent at just 12 years old and chosen by Mercedes-AMG F1 chief Toto Wolff to succeed Lewis Hamilton only five years later, Antonelli’s journey has been anything but ordinary. From a young age, he has faced immense pressure and commitments that would overwhelm most adults, all while living in a spotlight that exposes him to public scrutiny almost every moment.

      In contrast, Rosberg was 31 when he triumphed over Hamilton in equal machinery to become world champion in 2016. The second-generation racer has previously detailed the extremes he endured to maintain focus, health, and a state of mind free from disruption. With the rise of media and the instant gratification younger audiences now demand, conditions have worsened since Rosberg's retirement—he believes achieving that same success in 2026 would be significantly more challenging than it was then.

      “Definitely, it would be tougher. At that time, I was already switching off everything,” Rosberg said. “I was so focused and wouldn’t engage with social media. I avoided news, emails, and other distractions entirely. As difficult as that is, I’d recommend that to Kimi because otherwise, it can drive you to madness at some point.”

      When I inquired if Mercedes would allow their star driver to limit media engagements and other distractions, Rosberg noted that it was “possible.”

      Mark Thompson, Clive Mason via Getty

      “You can influence that, yes. The easiest step is to remove Instagram from your phone,” he remarked. “Has he done that or not? I have no idea! But if he still has it and checks it, that wouldn’t be wise.

      “So, start by disabling Instagram. Cut off Twitter. Turn off all that stuff—everything! Avoid reading the news and getting involved in any of those discussions, as they can drive you mad otherwise. It might be easier for him now because he’s winning, but tough times will come, like a crash or other issues, because those challenges happen to everyone. Or perhaps he may lose his championship lead, and then the doubts and questions will arise: ‘Oh, maybe he’s too young,’ or whatever nonsense. It’s tough to stay focused, so it