Antonelli: Behind the wheel, I become a different person.

      Kimi Antonelli leads the World Championship after 12 stages of the season with a 59-point advantage over George Russell, his teammate at Mercedes, which, of course, tops the Constructors' Cup standings. The progress of the Italian driver, who celebrated his 20th birthday less than a week ago, is recognized by all, as he finished his debut season in 7th place in the personal standings, and this year he already has six victories to his name, making him one of the main contenders for the title. "Experience plays a crucial role," Antonelli noted in an interview with the official championship website. "Of course, I still have a long way to go in accumulating it, but I think what I learned from last year, despite all the failures and difficult periods, was also necessary, as it helped me grow faster than I could have anticipated. It toughened me up psychologically."

      Kimi quickly became a very popular figure in the paddock, and the interest of fans in him is at an all-time high, which only makes him happy: "I try to enjoy it to the fullest. Unfortunately, there are moments when you can't please everyone, but I strive to get the most enjoyment out of it and do everything I can every weekend, as fans play a very important role in our sport. Overall, of course, it's always very nice to see their excitement and feel their support.

      Of course, during race weekends, our work rhythm is always very intense, but nevertheless, when I'm not behind the wheel, I not only focus on the tasks for the next day but also try to have a laugh with our mechanics, and Thursday is the best day for that.

      So every Thursday, I always drop by the garage and spend half an hour with all the mechanics – we chat about everything. I really enjoy it because it helps me relax a bit and not overload my mind. But when I get behind the wheel, I become a different person.

      When you realize that racing should be enjoyable, it helps you drive more relaxed, feel the car better – and then achieving high results becomes much easier. Of course, you have to remain yourself, always focus on achieving your goals, and try to see the positive moments, even when things aren't going well. That also helps you develop."