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Kimi Antonelli believes the new era of F1 could present opportunities for younger drivers to adapt more quickly to the "speed chess" of the regulations.

Antonelli is starting his second season in grand prix racing in 2026, in the first year of the regulation overhaul, with cars featuring new power units and smaller, narrower chassis with active aerodynamics.

The Italian, who finished seventh in his rookie season, believes that the new breed of car could actually aid the younger drivers who made their debuts in 2025, owing to the requirement placed on them to jump into new cars every year as they climb the ranks of the junior categories, as he described the new cars as akin to playing "speed chess" with rivals.

"For all the rookies who joined F1 last year, I think coming into this year with a new car is good, because obviously we've been used to driving a different car every year [in junior formulas]," Antonelli told select media, including RacingNews365.

"We've been trying to adapt as quickly as possible because it is a reset for everyone and maybe it'll help us to understand the car quicker than others, but of course, the other drivers are not stupid.

"They're pretty good, so they will figure it out pretty quickly as well, but also, with the energy management and the way you have to race, the way you have to use your energy will be a very big step.

"You have to come into the season very open-minded and need to be very creative as well, because you can play so much with the energy, especially when fighting other people, it is like playing chess, but a kind of speed chess.

"You don't have much time to think about every move, but this year, you always have to try to be two steps ahead of the others, especially when fighting.

"When you are planning an overtake or defending, you always have to be two steps ahead of the other and try to force him into doing something, so there is a lot to play with, and that is why you have to be really open-minded and even more creative at times."

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