Kimi Antonelli has shared his thoughts on the new Formula 1 cars for the 2026 season, stating that competitors will need to keep an open mind and be creative when racing.
This year’s regulatory changes are among the most significant in the category’s history, with one of the main points being active aerodynamics, but the engine, which now splits 50/50 between internal combustion and electric power, is also drawing a lot of attention.
After the shakedown in Barcelona, where Mercedes was the team that ran the most among all drivers, Antonelli gave his opinion on these new F1 cars and how they will impact the races.
“With all this energy management, the way you have to run is a huge step. I think this year you need to enter the season with a very open mind and, in a way, be very creative too, because you can play a lot with energy, especially when you’re fighting for position with other drivers. It’s like a game of chess,” he said.
“But in high-speed chess, you won’t have much time to think about the moves. This year, however, you’ll always need to be two steps ahead of the others, especially when you’re fighting for position, planning an overtake or defending: you’ll always need to be two steps ahead of the other, trying to predict their moves or force them to do something,” he continued.
“So, there’s a lot to play with. That’s why I think this season you need to have an open mind and even be creative sometimes,” he concluded.
