Kimi Antonelli: The Mercedes Prodigy Leading the 2026 F1 Championship

In 2026, Formula 1 has a new face at the top: Kimi Antonelli, 20, Mercedes driver. With a 41-point lead over Lewis Hamilton at mid-season, the young Bolognese driver is writing his first major chapter in Formula 1. Here is a look back at the journey of a prodigy who has everything it takes to become world champion in his very first full season.

A prodigy shaped by Mercedes since childhood

Kimi Antonelli joined the Mercedes junior program at age 12. In karting, F4, F3, F2, he collected titles with a consistency reminiscent of Max Verstappen's early career. Arriving in F1 for the 2026 season to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, the pressure was immense for this 20-year-old succeeding a seven-time world champion.

A historic start to the season

Over the first 7 rounds of the 2026 season, Antonelli has shown surprising maturity and consistency. His win at Monaco and his consecutive podiums in Europe have confirmed that Mercedes made an excellent choice by trusting him from 2026.

The Mercedes W17: the LEGO® set still to come

The 2026 Mercedes W17 doesn't yet have its own dedicated LEGO® Technic set, the LEGO® Technic 42171 reproduces the 2023 W14, still remarkable today. The W17, with its new livery adapted to the 2026 regulations, should get its LEGO® set in 2027. In the meantime, the Kadris wall art for the Mercedes W14 42171 is the closest representation of the team's spirit in 2026.