Kimi Antonelli made an historic start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, topping the drivers’ standings after the first three races and firing a warning shot at his Mercedes teammate George Russell, the Italian adamant he is here to win not to be number two.

At times, Antonelli has ridden his luck in the opening rounds. A big FP3 crash in Australia almost cost him a shot at qualifying. He also clashed with Isack Hadjar on the opening lap of the China Sprint and benefited hugely from the timing of the safety car to clinch victory in the Japanese Grand Prix. 

But the 19-year-old has equally shown huge composure amid rising pressure. Okay, there was a minor wobble at the end of the Chinese Grand Prix, though he still got it over the line. And as we head towards Miami, there’s every chance that Antonelli will fight George Russell for all the big prizes. 

With Mercedes still expected to have the dominant package, it’s looking like they'll have to manage another internal title battle. Antonelli says he’s confident that he can fight Russell for the F1 drivers’ crown, but he also wants to play the team game and keep a healthy relationship with his established teammate. 

Antonelli said: "I feel like I can be a challenger, and that's what I'm here for. I want to race to win, to win races and championships. That's my goal. Definitely this year it's a massive opportunity for all of us, especially for me and George, because we have a very strong car. 

“We don't want to waste this opportunity, so we will do our best. But we’re also very aware that it's important to keep a good dynamic in the team. 

"Because we have our own goals, which are to win and to be the best. But at the same time, we want to help the team in the best way possible to also achieve their goal, which is to win the constructor’s championship.”

From rookie to Formula 1 title contender

Trying to keep things cordial, both Russell and Antonelli are maintaining that their relationship hasn’t changed at all. But obviously it has.

Last year, a young, fresh-faced Italian arrived in Brackley as a rookie with everything to learn and Lewis Hamilton’s giant shoes to fill. 

By his own admission, Antonelli’s first season was full of ups and downs. At its low point, the Italian was reduced to tears of frustration after failing to make Q2 in either Belgian Sprint or Grand Prix qualifying. But he persevered to grab his first pole in Miami and maiden podium in Montreal. 

When Mercedes unveiled a rocket ship in preseason testing, everyone thought Russell was the nailed-on title favorite. But Antonelli has carried this momentum into the 2026 campaign and now seems to be right in contention.

Interestingly, Toto Wolff chose this week to reveal that he laid down an ultimatum to Hamilton and Nico Rosberg over their shenanigans in 2016. 

After enjoying a “better than anticipated” start to the new campaign, Antonelli is keen to avoid a repeat scenario, or getting ahead of himself. Instead, he’s keeping his head down and “trying to raise the bar” race-by-race.

“Definitely, it has been a very strong start of the season. Expectations… they’re automatically a bit different now. But at the end of the day, I still try to keep the same mindset that I had in the previous three races.

“I keep focusing on what I have to do, on the goal, and just trying to put myself in the best position possible to achieve a great result. What I don't want to do is, now that we're in a good position, start to think about the final result, or the long-term results.”

Antonelli not taking anything for granted

Staying grounded as a teenager while being so close to achieving your life goal must be near impossible. There has to be some part of Antonelli that’s already dreaming. 

However, he still comes across as incredibly relaxed, it seems like F1’s five-week break has come at the perfect time to settle him back down. 

Miami might’ve played host to his breakthrough performance last year, but there’s nothing being taken for granted. At the moment, Antonelli isn’t getting carried away by early results. He credits his father, Marco Antonelli, for helping keep his feet on the ground while guiding him through the maelstrom that is the modern F1 paddock. 

Antonelli added: “He still has a very big impact on me. Obviously, my dad and I have a very, very strong bond. He was the one sharing his passion, and he was the one taking me to the track since I was very little. 

“He was also the one who taught me most. It's the stuff that I know nowadays, and still now, it's great to have someone like him who supports you. He has so much knowledge in motorsport. He has spent many, many years—more than my age!

“So, he definitely has a lot of experience. And still, now he gives me advice.”

With his father (and now a good percentage of Italian fans) at his side, young Antonelli has all the support he needs. Let’s see if he can deliver in Miami to keep his title ambitions on track.