Jacques Villeneuve tells Kimi Antonelli exactly what he needs to do after recent Mercedes struggles

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli has admitted that he’s bereft of confidence after a really difficult Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

Before Kimi Antonelli was confirmed as a Mercedes driver, there were several standout moments during his Formula 2 career.

Antonelli dominated a wet race at Silverstone to take his first win at that level.

However, Williams team principal James Vowles was blown away by Antonelli’s move on Franco Colapinto at Spa as he was on the cusp of being confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

Antonelli has had some peaks during his first season in Formula 1, but his recent form has been troubling.

The 18-year-old secured his first F1 podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, but that’s his only points finish in his last six races.

The Belgian Grand Prix has been disastrous for Antonelli, setting the slowest time in Sprint qualifying before being eliminated in Q1 alongside Hamilton ahead of Sunday’s race.

Damon Hill is worried about the hype surrounding Antonelli, and his old Williams teammate, Jacques Villeneuve, has now told the teenager what he needs to do to get out of his current rough patch.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Jacques Villeneuve tells Kimi Antonelli to ‘reset’ after Belgian Grand Prix woes

Villeneuve was speaking after qualifying on Instagram and reflecting on Saturday’s sessions, he said: “Second qualifying of the weekend here at Spa, and well, we’ve got the same guys at the front.

“Obviously, the two McLaren boys, they’re quick, the car’s quick, they’re fighting together, it’s tight, it’s good.

“Verstappen went from low downforce to high downforce, compared to this morning’s race, similar lap time, just different speeds at different places on the track.

“He’s opting for a wet race, doesn’t want to get caught out like he did at Silverstone.

“Leclerc great, surprising lap time with the lower downforce, and Albon for Williams, again, a Williams at the front, and they showed this morning that they can keep the pace, that should be interesting to get some good points.

“Now, disappointing Lewis Hamilton, he had the pace, ran wide, had his lap time taken out, so he’s starting at the back.

“And Antonelli, once again at the back, two times in a row. He doesn’t like this track.

“He really needs to reset for the next part of the season; it’s a little bit tough now.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Kimi Antonelli set to stay at Mercedes beyond 2025 despite recent struggles

There are six drivers who could potentially be considered rookies on the grid this season if you include Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls and Franco Colapinto at Alpine.

Only Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) were offered deals that extended into 2026, putting additional pressure on the other four drivers.

There have been reports that Lawson’s contract will be extended, while on the other end of the spectrum, Colapinto is under serious pressure.

Isack Hadjar is Red Bull’s favoured Yuki Tsunoda replacement for 2026, but whether the young Frenchman wants to line up alongside Max Verstappen is another matter.

Antonelli is another young driver waiting to find out what he’ll be doing next season.

Mercedes look set to retain Antonelli and George Russell despite persistent interest in signing Verstappen.

That should relieve some of the pressure on the Italian, and he’ll agree with Villeneuve that a ‘reset’ during the upcoming summer break might be just what he needs to tackle the final 10 races of the 2025 season.