Andrea Kimi Antonelli has expressed that he never harboured grave concern that he wouldn’t keep his seat with Mercedes in Formula 1 into a second season in 2026.
Mercedes announced earlier this week the long-awaited news that the team will retain an unchanged line-up with Antonelli alongside the experienced George Russell.
The Italian lived up to the enthusiasm that greeted his arrival in the opening rounds, but a nightmare mid-season slump saw his place on the grid become scrutinised.
Despite securing his maiden podium when the calendar diverted to Canada, Antonelli’s contribution during the European leg totalled a mere three points in nine races.
That caused scepticism to arise about whether his promotion had been premature at a time when Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reignited his interest in Max Verstappen.
But since Mercedes ditched the troubled rear suspension that triggered his downturn, Antonelli has managed successive top-five results in Azerbaijan and Singapore.
Even though the internal message remained that his position was secure, Antonelli has admitted that there were moments across the season when he was uncertain.
“The team has always been very clear on their plans and on what they wanted to do, so I was never really worried, but it’s always nice to get the confirmation,” Antonelli told media including Motorsport Week in Austin.
“Especially with all the ups and downs, especially the difficult period, some doubt starts to kick in.
“But the team has always been very supportive and very open that they wanted to continue with me, especially for next year.
“I’m really happy to have the confirmation now that it’s been announced.
“Even though I knew it, it still kind of relaxes me a little bit, a little bit more because I know now for sure that I have the seat for next year.”
Antonelli admits he can’t sustain repeat slump in 2026
Antonelli, who lies 149 points behind Russell, has acknowledged that he can’t endure a similar dip in 2026, when Mercedes aims to have a more competitive package.
“I don’t know, I race year by year, and I’m always trying to deliver the best results as possible,” he added.
“As I said before with the team, they obviously they want to work with me also in the future, and not only next year, but I need to perform as well.
“Their plan is to continue with me as well, probably beyond 2026 as well. But for me as a driver, I need to perform and I need to deliver the results, especially next year because I’ll have a year under my belt and it’s going to be a new regulation for everyone and a massive opportunity.
“If we have the car, it’s going to be really important for me to really maximise the result and to really perform at my best, especially if I want the seat for ’27 and beyond.”
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