Kimi Antonelli opens up on unsettling rumors about Max Verstappen replacing him at Mercedes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has admitted that the speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future and Mercedes’ driver lineup for 2026 took a mental toll during the most difficult stretch of his rookie F1 season.

The Italian teenager, handpicked by Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s successor, faced intense scrutiny midway through 2025 as performance dip, contract uncertainty, and paddock rumors converged at once.

Speaking to Autosport, Antonelli addressed the period after earning his first F1 podium in the Canadian GP in June.

“There were a lot of rumors during that difficult period. I was already going through a complicated time, and receiving pressure from outside certainly didn't help. I was aware that I had a long-term contract, but certain rumors make you think a lot. These are tough moments mentally, something that stays with you even when you get in the car,” Antonelli said.

The rumors gathered momentum during the European leg of the season before the summer break, when Max Verstappen’s future was under speculation. As F1 moved closer to the 2026 regulation reset, reports suggested that the four-time world champion was open to alternatives outside Red Bull.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes F1 Team at the Red Bull Ring. Source: Getty

At the same time, Mercedes hadn't finalized deals for Kimi Antonelli or George Russell, whose initial contract ended in 2025. That made the Italian’s position particularly sensitive. At 18 years, he was still adapting to the F1 car and suffered back-to-back DNFs in Austria and Silverstone. He finished outside the points in two of the next three races and faced immense scrutiny after a P9 finish at his home race in Monza.

During that period, there were repeated suggestions that Verstappen could replace him at Mercedes by the end of 2025. Toto Wolff and Verstappen were pictured together in Sardinia during the summer break, which only added to the rumors.

George Russell, meanwhile, was enjoying one of the strongest seasons of his career but had not yet renewed his own deal. He added to the pressure by publicly acknowledging that "it’s only normal" for Mercedes to explore every option available as it looked to return to the front of the grid.

---

Kimi Antonelli reflects on three 'phases' of his rookie season at Mercedes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes after the F1 Grand Prix of Canada. Source: Getty

Looking back, Kimi Antonelli framed his first F1 campaign as three distinct phases that shaped him both on and off the track. The opening segment, from Melbourne through the Canadian GP, was largely positive, in which he earned 63 points.

The second phase, beginning after Canada, proved far more demanding.

“There was a first phase, which I would say was positive, starting in Melbourne and ending with the Canadian Grand Prix. It was a period of great learning, I had to familiarize myself with the world of Formula 1 by going through a lot of new experiences,” Antonelli added in the interview.

“After Montreal, a difficult period began, a phase in which I didn't see the progress I expected. That also had an impact on my morale, it was mentally tough. Starting in Baku, the season returned to what I wanted it to be.”

Since then, Red Bull stabilized after internal changes, winning six of the final eight races, while Max Verstappen ultimately missed out on the title by just two points to Lando Norris. Russell delivered the best season of his career with two wins and nine podiums, and Mercedes confirmed multi-year extensions for both Russell and Antonelli through at least 2026, ending the speculation.

Kimi Antonelli finished the year strongly, scoring points in five of the final seven races after Baku, including two podiums in Brazil and Las Vegas. He ended the season as the highest-placed rookie in the standings, and just six markers behind Lewis Hamilton.