Mercedes have ‘cleared the air’ with Kimi Antonelli’s father as F1 paddock details emerge

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The relationship between Mercedes and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s father, Marco, appears to have improved over the winter break, leading to the emotional scenes witnessed at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Kimi Antonelli secured the win of his F1 career at the Chinese Grand Prix, driving a perfect race as he comfortably beat teammate George Russell.

It means Mercedes have started the 2026 campaign with back-to-back one-two finishes, giving them a commanding lead in the constructors’ championship.

After Kimi Antonelli’s win in Shanghai, which F2 graduate will be the next to win their first Grand Prix?

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Although Ferrari have suggested Antonelli was ready to race for them in F1, team principal Toto Wolff has put his full faith in the 19-year-old ever since his ill-judged first appearance in FP1 at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix.

Kimi Antonelli’s father travelled with him to races last season, and that trend looks set to continue in 2026.

However, according to journalist Jacky Martens, it seems that Marco Antonelli and Mercedes have now mended any previous issues that had arisen in their relationship.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Marco Antonelli and Mercedes ‘cleared the air’ in time for Kimi Antonelli’s Chinese Grand Prix win

Speaking about the situation on the Paddock Access Podcast, Martens said: “I want to dig a little deeper into the Antonellis because it’s quite an interesting story.

“Last season, something must have happened because at some point in the second half. The father, we didn’t see him in the hospitality at Mercedes anymore, which is quite strange, especially when your son is that young like Kimi.

“You want to be as close as possible in these situations. So that, to me, was very interesting.

“I saw Marco Antonelli in the paddock from time to time, but he was never at Mercedes; he was always at the hospitality of Formula 1, and something has changed in the winter.

“I don’t know what happened, but definitely conversations have been made between the Antonelli side and also between Mercedes, because we saw Marco Antonelli, we saw him at Mercedes, we saw him hugging Toto Wolff.

“So, I think they cleared the air over there, and then this all happens, Kimi taking his first victory, while his father was there, that makes it even better.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

What Marco Antonelli said to Toto Wolff after Kimi Antonelli’s first F1 victory

The question that now faces Antonelli is whether, at the age of 19, he’s ready to challenge for a Formula 1 title.

It would make him the youngest championship winner by quite some distance if he managed it, and with at least 20 rounds still to go, it’s far too early to be talking up his chances.

Comparisons between Antonelli and Michael Schumacher have been questioned, although Martin Brundle wasn’t already suggesting that he could emulate the seven-time world champion’s career achievements just yet.

Speaking after Sunday’s race, via Motorsport, Marco Antonelli said: “We tried to do the best for our son, but Mercedes did a big job. I can say only thank you.

“You know, we had a moment, we talked about it. We were in Monza, Milano, two years ago. And I said, ‘do you think Kimi is ready for the seat when he was in F2?’ And [Toto] said, ‘I think he is’. And I said, ‘Well then, let’s do it.’ But at the end, the best is Toto.”

Wolff replied to Antonelli’s father and admitted: “No, no. I think we did it together. Kimi, as a driver and as a personality, is because of the family. His mother, Veronica, and Marco, it’s such a solid base of a family. The karting, the many hours in the car, going to every track. Congratulations.”

Any fractures in their relationship appear to have been mended now, and Antonelli having his father alongside him during a campaign where he might be regularly challenging for victories could become increasingly essential.