Overview

• Kimi Antonelli admits he is still struggling to extract the maximum over a single lap and has not yet mastered qualifying.
• He explains that qualifying’s combination of a light fuel load, new tyres and maximum grip makes the car’s limit harder to find.
• After describing his approach as “too conservative,” he is now deliberately pushing harder to explore the car’s limits in practice sessions.
• Mercedes reverted to an older rear suspension spec for the Hungarian Grand Prix, which led to an immediate improvement in his form.
• The Brackley-based team continues to support its 18-year-old rookie and is widely expected to keep both Antonelli and George Russell for 2026.