Mercedes driver Antonelli shares the one gift he desires this Christmas

The Mercedes driver expressed his desire for a front-running car capable of competing for race wins and perhaps even the drivers’ championship.

"Having a car that allows us to battle up front. Winning races and maybe, who knows, even fighting for the World Championship. The team is pushing hard to give us the best car, and it'll be up to me to try and do the rest,” Antonelli said via Gazzetta dello Sport.

Antonelli’s rookie season in Formula 1 saw him experience a mix of highs and lows. The young Italian, who started the season strongly, experienced a mid-season dip in form. However, the 19-year-old finished the year on a high, recording two podium finishes in the final stretch of the season.

Earlier, Antonelli shared his optimism ahead of the 2026 season. The Bologna native, in his assessment of the Mercedes team car, highlighted how impressed he is with the machinery for the upcoming campaign.

Antonelli also noted how he has witnessed the car evolve in the wind tunnel and expressed confidence about the prospect of the team producing a much-improved car under the new regulations.

The 2026 season will feature a major overhaul of Formula 1 machinery, with changes spanning engines, aerodynamics, and overall car design, among several other updates for the campaign.

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