Romain Grosjean explained on the official Formula 1 podcast Beyond The Grid how the support provided by Mercedes was crucial in Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable 2026 season.
After a challenging first year, Antonelli was able to rely on Mercedes’ steady backing, which continued even during his low points, allowing him to regain confidence and performance. This support was particularly evident following a less successful start to the 2026 season in Australia, where the team did not assign blame but instead focused on rebuilding the car around him.
Thanks to this support and his talent, Antonelli won five of the first six races, building an 81-point lead over his teammate George Russell. Grosjean praised the young Italian driver’s ability to handle pressure and draw energy from the chaos around him, highlighting his potential to become the youngest world champion in history.