Kimi Antonelli displays "no indication" of championship stress while Jolyon Palmer praises the 2026 revival.

"No indication. Absolutely no indication," he remarked when asked if he believed Antonelli was displaying any signs of pressure. "He’s not competing as if he’s in a championship battle.

"Even when you observe how he contended with Lando at the start of the [Spanish Grand Prix], he was still charging through those chicanes, aiming to win the race, not just trying to settle in."

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Antonelli, who is only in his second year in the championship after taking over Hamilton's role at the Brackley team when he transitioned to Ferrari, was in a vastly different situation a year ago. During the European leg of the previous season, he earned just three points and experienced four retirements.

"It's somewhat poetic, isn't it? The European summer last year nearly put him at risk of losing his seat," Palmer continued. "And fast forward a year, and the European summer has nearly placed him on the brink of becoming a champion. You can't have a greater paradox for him. It’s been astonishing.

"He’s driving with immense confidence. He's now displaying his remarkable talent. And the consistency of it is once again what continues to impress."