Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of a potential Formula 1 title breakthrough, yet his routine away from racing remains refreshingly down to earth. The Mercedes driver has revealed that he enjoys washing his own car by hand, even as he prepares for a crucial championship weekend in Austin.
Key Championship & Lifestyle Insights:
- Championship opportunity: Antonelli arrives in Austin with a 102-point lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
- A chance to make history: A title win would make him F1’s youngest-ever champion and the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
- A hands-on car enthusiast: The 20-year-old prefers washing his Mercedes-AMG GT63 by hand rather than using an automatic car wash.
- Mercedes seeks a response: Toto Wolff says the team aims to bounce back in Austin with its latest update package fitted to both cars.
Antonelli Prefers Washing His Car by Hand
Speaking at the launch of Mercedes’ United States Grand Prix livery, Antonelli shared a glimpse into his life away from the circuit. One of his favourite activities is cleaning his Mercedes-AMG GT63 road car, a task he prefers to handle himself.
The Italian explained that he avoids automatic car washes because he enjoys looking after his vehicle personally. Keeping the car clean has become a regular part of his routine, reflecting his passion for cars beyond his F1 responsibilities.
Austin Offers Antonelli a Chance to Make History
Antonelli heads into the United States Grand Prix with a 102-point advantage over team-mate George Russell, putting him in a position to clinch the drivers’ championship this weekend.
If he secures the title, Antonelli would become the youngest world champion in F1 history. He would also end Italy’s wait for a drivers’ champion, becoming the country’s first title winner since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
The Austin race begins the penultimate triple-header of the 2026 season, adding further significance to an already pivotal weekend.
Wolff Targets Mercedes Comeback in Austin
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that the team had struggled during the recent races in Malaysia and Singapore. He said the team had worked to identify its weaknesses and viewed Austin as an opportunity to respond.
Mercedes will introduce its latest update package on both cars as it continues developing its 2026 challenger. With the field closely matched, Wolff stressed that consistent progress will be essential if the team hopes to remain competitive at the front during the season’s final stretch.
He also highlighted the demands of the upcoming triple-header, emphasising that Mercedes must focus on executing each race weekend effectively rather than looking too far ahead.
Away from the circuit, the team will have a significant presence across Austin through the AMG and MANUFAKTUR takeover, showcasing Mercedes’ performance, craftsmanship and vehicle personalisation. However, Wolff made clear that the priority remains delivering results on track.
