Kimi Antonelli entered the imposed Formula 1 April break on a high after winning the Japanese Grand Prix and leading the Drivers' Championship, becoming the youngest driver to do so.

Antonelli has had a great start for his 2026 F1 season, his second in the top flight, and has shown much improvement compared to his rookie season when he had a steep learning curve. 

And while he showed vulnerability in 2025, the young Italian managed three podiums while showing several times that, despite his lack of experience, he could remain cool under pressure.

Speaking to the media, including GrandPrix247, Antonelli reflected on how his second season in F1 differed; he said: “I think, overall, I feel stronger.

“I feel more in control of the situation. Obviously, having done all the tracks last year, definitely it's helping this year so far. Also, having done a race weekend also helps because I know better what to expect.

“I know better how to move around, how to manage myself during the weekend. Definitely, the experience of last year is playing a massive role into this year so far. I just feel more relaxed, more confident. For sure, this might even help in those tracks where last year I struggled a lot," he explained.

Just keep focusing on the goal

After winning two of the first three races, Antonelli insists he will not change his approach despite the noise surrounding him, especially with regard to his ability to fight for the F1 Championship this season, a battle which will put him in direct contention with his Mercedes teammate, George Russell.

“At the end of the day, I still try to keep the same mindset as I had in the previous three races,” the Mercedes youngster said. “Just trying to keep focusing on what I have to do, on the goal, and just trying to put myself in the best position as possible to then 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 a long-term result.

"I just really want to focus on the present and how I can maximize every time I go in the car in order to get the best result, focusing on the process.

“Then, little by little, trying to raise the bar, raise the game. Obviously, George [Russell] is super strong, and competitors will get closer.

"I just need to keep doing what I'm doing, but just trying to raise the bar little by little," Antonelli maintained.

As the sport gears up for the Miami Grand Prix this weekend, Antonelli set his goals with the venue where, in 2025, he made a breakthrough, taking pole position for the Sprint Race.

“The goal for Miami is to be back from where we left in Japan, or even be back even stronger from where we left,” Antonelli said.