Kimi Antonelli 'seeking answers' after major 2026 F1 breakthrough

Kimi Antonelli has described questions he wants to answer about himself in 2026 after a troubled European leg of the 2025 season. 

The Italian has won five of the seven grands prix held in 2026 thus far, and enjoys a 41-point championship lead over Lewis Hamilton and is the favourite to win the drivers' championship. 

However, during his rookie season, Antonelli suffered a major loss in form through the European heart of the season, culminating in the first criticism from Toto Wolff, who branded his Italian GP performance as "underwhelming."

Whilst he is "grateful" for having gone through that experience, Antonelli has explained that there are "still many questions that need to be answered" about himself - which can only come through the rigours of a title fight. 

"Not really, to be fair, last year, it was definitely a big feature," Antonelli told media, including RacingNews365 when asked if he had doubted himself.

"I would doubt a lot about myself, especially during that difficult period in Europe. But this year, obviously, has been a different story. 

"Also, you mature a lot after one year of Formula 1, not only as a driver but also as a person, and I think also last year during the difficult period, I got to know myself better. 

"So definitely, considering how bad it was in the moment, actually, I'm very grateful that it happened because it made me grow a lot and it taught me a lot about myself as well. 

"I think this year, so far, I haven't been questioning or doubting myself. However, there are questions that still need to be answered on my side. 

"How much further can I go in a short period of time? How much can I push myself even further? How much more can I grow, and how big is the potential? 

"So, there are still many questions that need to be answered, and it will still take a bit of time."