Grosjean says Mercedes support has been key behind Antonelli’s 2026 title lead

Romain Grosjean says Mercedes’ day-to-day backing of Kimi Antonelli has been a crucial factor in the Italian’s rise during his 2026 Formula 1 campaign, as he explained on the official F1 podcast Beyond The Grid. Grosjean argued that the combination of Antonelli’s talent and the way the team supported him even during difficult moments helped unlock a new performance level as he built momentum early in the year.

According to Grosjean’s assessment, Antonelli capitalised on Mercedes’ strong form at the start of 2026, winning five of the opening six rounds and taking control of the Drivers’ Championship ahead of his team mate George Russell. He added that Antonelli’s consistency—highlighted by top-three finishes, aside from a DNF at Barcelona and a P15 result at Silverstone—helped him accumulate a substantial 81-point advantage over Russell.

Grosjean said the support structure mattered as much as results. “He's incredibly talented and an amazing race car driver, but I think what I see from the outside is how good the management and Mercedes was around him,” he stated. He then described Mercedes’ response after a difficult stretch, saying that after a rough second half of the previous season, “they actually helped him elevate” rather than allowing him to slip backward.

Looking at this year’s progression, Grosjean pointed to the absence of “finger pointing” following Antonelli’s less-than-ideal start in Australia, describing how the team “rebuilt the car” and supported him, which he said built the confidence that can translate to stronger driving in Mercedes machinery. Grosjean also referenced Antonelli’s charge from the back of the grid to victory at his home race in Monza as a defining example of his capability.

The former Haas driver further characterized Antonelli as a driver who handles pressure differently, saying Antonelli seems able to keep calm while leading a championship and racing for Mercedes. Grosjean added that “no pressure can get to him,” and praised Antonelli’s ability to draw energy from the noise and agitation around him.

Written by Vancouver Television Sports Desk