Andrea Kimi Antonelli reveals Mercedes "kick in the butt" meeting after Italian GP

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has credited the "little kick in the butt" from Mercedes following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza for getting him back on the right track. 

The Mercedes rookie started the 2025 Formula 1 season strongly with a fourth-place finish in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. He secured his first sprint pole position in Miami and his first grand prix podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.

But following the race in Montreal, the Italian driver suffered two DNFs and only scored one point in Hungary before his home race at Monza. While he secured two points in front of his home crowd, the Brackley outfit gave him a "little kick in the butt" following the race, which team chief Toto Wolff described as underwhelming at the time.

“After Monza, I did a big meeting with Bono [Peter Bonnington] and the engineers. I got a little kick in the butt, but it was what I needed, honestly," Antonelli explained to Mercedes.

"Now I'm back on the right track, with the right mindset, and focusing on the process, on the basics, trying to drive well, put things together, and then I know the result will come by itself. We had a couple of good weekends [in Singapore and Baku], which is important, bringing points for the team.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

“The car has been very, very strong, which is very promising. Now six races to go. We pull away from Ferrari and Red Bull as well. That's the most important. It's going to be important to keep bringing points, perform well. And to get the P2 in the Constructors’ Championship.”

Since the Italian Grand Prix, Antonelli has secured 22 points for the team with a fourth-place and fifth-place finish in Azerbaijan and Singapore. He now sits seventh in the drivers' standings with 88 points. In comparison, his Mercedes team-mate George Russell sits fourth with 237 points.

Mercedes is currently second with 325 points, behind McLaren, which has already clinched the constructors' championship.