Kimi Antonelli’s Rise Explained — How Mercedes’ Wonderkid is Leading Formula 1’s Next Generation
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last year, the 2025 Formula 1 season marked a clear changing of the guard, with six rookies stepping into full-time seats across the grid. But just one year later, it is already becoming clear that one name stands apart from the rest, Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes young talent is second in the F1 2026 standings only 4 points behind the leader and his teammate George Russell.
While drivers who made their debut — Oliver Bearman, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, Franco Colapint, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto — showed flashes of promise, Antonelli’s rise has been on a completely different level. He proved that he is not here to race, but to chase the history.
F1 2025: Kimi Antonelli vs the Rest
In 2025, Antonelli, replacing the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes made his debut in Formula 1. Driving alongside Russell, the then-18 year-old finished 7th in the driver’s championship with 150 points, the highest among all rookies.
He also secured three podiums (Canada, Sao Paulo and Las Vegas) and showed a level of consistency rarely seen from a first-year driver in a top team. At the 2025 Japanese Grand PrixMercedes rookie set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:30.965 on lap 50. By doing so, he became the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to record a fastest lap at 18 years and 224 days old, breaking the previous record held by Max Verstappen (19 years, 44 days).
Compare that to the rest of the rookie class, Isack Hadjar, who was driving for Racing Bulls, impressed with a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix but finished 12th overall. However, that ultimately earned him a promotion to Red Bull for 2026. He is currently 11th in the standings with 4 points.
Oliver Bearman Comes Next
Oliver Bearman also showed strong signs of growth during the 2025 season. Driving for Haas, the London-born driver finished 13th in the Drivers’ Championship with a total of 41 pointsincluding points finishes in five consecutive races. His best run came in Mexico, where he finished fourth. In 2026, the 20-year-old had an exceptionally amazing start securing 5th place in the Drivers’ Championship with 17 points after the first two rounds.
Haas’ Ollie Bearman stands as the highest-ranked driver outside of Mercedes and Ferrari – his best championship position to date 🔥#F1 pic.twitter.com/DBp0UqqEud
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 21, 2026
Driving the Ferrari-powered VF-26, Bearman has outperformed several drivers from top teams including Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Lando Norris of McLaren. In Australia, he finished 7th and in China, the Haas driver finished 5th. Despite the clear difference in Haas and Mercedes cars performace, of anyone comes after Antonelli in F1 prodigies it is Bearman.
Other Rookies
Liam Lawson’s maiden F1 season, however, was more turbulent. He started the year with Red Bull but was moved back to Racing Bulls after just two races. Despite that setback, Lawson rebuilt his campaign with several points finishes, finishing 14th overall with 38 points.
Gabriel Bortoleto had a quieter but steady rookie year with Sauber. In a car that often lacked competitiveness, he still managed multiple points finishes and impressed with his consistency and race management. The Brazilian finished 2025 season 18th with 19 points.
At the other end of the spectrum, Jack Doohan struggled the most. Driving for Alpine, he failed to score points and was replaced mid-season by Franco Colapinto.
2026: From Prospect to Title Contender
If 2025 was about proving potential, 2026 has been about proving Kimi belongs at the very top. After just two races, Antonelli sits near the top of the standings, winning the Chinese Grand Prix and pushing his teammate George Russell in equal machinery.
Replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes was not just a seat, it came with a whole set of expectations. Many drivers would struggle under that pressure. Antonelli hasn’t. He already won his maiden race at the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 becoming the second youngest F1 race winner in history after Max Verstappen. By taking the pole in Qualifying in Shanghai, the 19-year-old became the youngest ever pole sitter in history. In the season opener Australian Grand Prix, the Italian finished second.
And if the early signs are anything to go by, he may not just be the best of his class. He might be the next face of Formula 1.
Now as the caravan of 22 F1 drivers move to the third race of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix set to be held on March 28-29, all eyes are on Kimi Antonelli.
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