Monte Carlo (Principality of Monaco) (AFP) – Formula One celebrated the arrival of a "generational talent and champion" as Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli removed all doubts, broke more records and proved he has the mentality to handle it all.
Issued on: 08/06/2026 - 12:42
3 min Reading time
By winning arguably the most pressurised and challenging race of all, on the unforgiving barrier-lined streets of the principality, he proved he is a man for all circuits. AFP SPORT looks at three things we learned from Sunday's showpiece race:Antonelli can handle hypeUnfazed by team-mate George Russell's claim that the world title was now his to lose ahead of the race on a circuit where he finished 19th and last and was lapped three times a year earlier, Antonelli grinned, accepted the sugared barb and won. Afterwards he jumped into the harbour and surfaced with a smile.Seasoned observers laughed. Most Monaco winners jump into the swimming pool, not the sea; another first for the boy from Bologna. How, he was asked, does he cope with the expectation and the pressure?"It's an incredible moment to live," he admitted. "But, of course, it's still a long season with many races to go."I don't want to let the pressure destroy me, like it did last year... So, I try to enjoy it as much as possible without worrying about anything else other than just driving."It was a good a test today with the red flag re-start -- and I'm not going to lie, I was a bit annoyed because finding the mindset to re-do a full start is not easy -- and I didn't fail."As Antonelli beamed, Russell frowned. The pre-season favourite and winner of the opening race has seen his form and fortunes plummet in Miami, Montreal and Monaco. "I am in a very, very weird state of mind because I've had low moments in my career where maybe I've had a run of two or three bad races on my own performance, but never a run of bad luck like this."Russell remains the likely main rival to Antonelli as the season unfolds. Hamilton recovers mojo
