Back at Base S3: 9. A New Era Bonus Episode

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Welcome to this bonus episode of F1 Back at Base.

I'm Holly Samos and we're going to be catching up

with two of the stars of Formula One's new era.

Hey everybody, it's Holly here reporting from China.

Hi to all the F1 Back at Base fans.

And yeah, what a day.

In our main series, we dipped into driver life on the road

and at home with next generation stars,

Kimi Antonelli and Oli Behrmann.

Yes, they were polishing off their rookie seasons in style

at Mercedes and Hass,

but we could never have guessed how their 2026 seasons

would have started.

The checkered flag is waiting and it's a first Grand Prix victory.

I'm Sarah Holt and we'll be hearing exclusively from both Kimi

and Oli a bit later on in this bonus edition.

And if you missed the first eight episodes,

you can listen back to them now on BBC Sounds.

But first, let's remind ourselves of Kimi and Oli's

rookie journey in 2025 with some never heard before content from our series.

Last summer, Sarah braved a scorching heat wave

to meet Oli at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

and find out more about one of F1's hottest properties.

If the people that don't know Oli Behrmann,

what do you like as a person?

How would you describe yourself?

I would like to say that I'm a funny guy and quite down to us.

I think that's an important quality to have, especially stepping into Formula One.

It's important to be a normal person because I am and the same as everyone else.

I see the pleasures in life, I like to laugh and be happy and make people laugh

that always makes me happy.

So yeah, not too serious.

Hopefully Humble, I hope people would say that about me and just a

hopefully a good person to be around.

What do you do as a normal life?

I mean, because you're not normal to most 20-year-olds,

because you're an F1 driver and he's a rookie F1 season.

What things do you like to do?

Normal is a strong word, you're right.

And definitely not the most normal person out there.

But just in spending time with my family, my girlfriend,

the people that I love is something that's really important to me

and something that I try to stay on top of because it's important to stay grounded

with the correct people around you.

Aside from that, a lot of training, which as well as helping me on the racetrack,

I also enjoy very much, which is fantastic.

I cycle a lot, I enjoy going to the gym and that's pretty much it really.

We don't get so much time off.

No, well that's right.

Looking at your journey so far, Oli, how did a boy from Essex end up making his F1 debut

with Ferrari, the most famous team in F1?

Yeah, it was certainly a crazy few years for me coming from Formula 4

and making my way up step by step.

I don't know at what point it switched from.

I love doing this sport as a hobby too.

I want this to be my job.

It was probably clearer for me than it was for my family and my,

especially my mom, who was of course very pro education.

It wasn't easy to let me leave school after GCSEs and not continue with A-levels.

I've been a huge petrol head and a huge fan of the sport since the very beginning,

so it almost seemed natural that I was doing well and making the steps up the ladder.

You were part of the Ferrari driver academy, which is amazing.

How did that happen?

Yeah, so that was really my second Formula 4 season in that very special year for myself,

which I won both championships.

Clearly Ferrari spotted that it was going well and they invited me to their test track in Italy.

And I think after that things became a bit clearer and I had to sell myself to them.

Not only on track, but also off track with my mental approach,

my fitness level and stuff like that.

But once I got the invite to come to Ferrari, I knew that they were

interested and that definitely helped my case.

And what about making your F1 debut with Ferrari?

I think you were the youngest ever driver for Ferrari as well.

Your emotions around that race could you sleep the night before?

Could you eat anything?

In fact, I slept very well.

But I'll tell you why, because it was such a crazy weekend, first of all,

getting the cool very late.

After that day, after Saturday qualifying, I slept probably 12 hours,

just because of the mental overload that I went through.

It was such a busy weekend for me, but I was just destroyed and slept so long,

which was all for good measure.

Because I knew that that race on Sunday would have been a nightmare without

at least enough sleep.

So yeah, it was a crazy weekend, a big physical challenge for myself,

but I'm really happy that I perform well.

And Oli made everyone sit up and take notice when he made his F1 debut for Ferrari,

deputizing for Carlos Signs at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix,

because he finished seventh.

That performance earned him a race seat with Hass in 2025,

where he had nine point scoring finishes,

and a career best fourth in Mexico City.

That's right, he was really proud of that performance,

and he talks about that quite a lot in our main series, didn't he?

Now, there were lots of rumours that Oli could one day move to the skewed area,

potentially following Sir Louis Hamilton as the team's latest British driver,

and Holly spoke to Oli at the start of 2026 about whether he might one day go back to Ferrari.

You're on a trajectory, Oli.

Have the talks already started for a potential move to another team in 2027?

No, I mean, my job is, first of all, not to do that.

If there are any talks, it's more between my management,

and whatever team he goes to talk to.

I mean, the fans are talking about it, aren't they?

Just because of the connection between Hass and Ferrari.

Yeah, of course, and I still have a very strong connection with Ferrari.

They're the reason I'm here today with Hass.

They're the reason I was able to race in Formula 3 and Formula 2 without them.

I would not be sitting here full stop, so they've been hugely beneficial to me,

and picks me up in a time which is really necessary to have a driver economy.

They're picking you up, so it's great to have that connection with Ferrari and that piece of mind.

Of course, I made my debut within which was an incredible feeling.

Right now, my future lies with Hass, and I want to do everything possible to help this team.

We have so many incredible experiences last year, so much fun.

At the moment, I just want to maximize what we can do with this regulation set.

Whatever comes will be as a result of this year.

So, you know, it's in my interest to do as well as possible, of course, for my future.

But at the moment, I'm very much focused on this year, which is a big mountain, first of all, to climb.

Well, one driver who's already had the honour of following in Hamilton's footsteps

is Mercedes-Rising star Kimi Antonelli.

Holly caught up with the 19-year-old at Silverstone over the British Grand Prix weekend,

and first, she had a very important question to ask the driver,

who is actually called Andrea on his birth certificate.

Why does everyone call you Kimi Antonelli and not Andrea?

That's a good question. I think, obviously, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is quite long,

the name, but I think everyone calls me Kimi because it's a very well-known name in the world of

motorsport. Kimi Reichanan wins the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Even though, you know, I always try to, even for example, we made this box for

charity to give away, and initially, they wanted to put Kimi Antonelli, but I asked to put

Andrea Kimi Antonelli because on the other day, that's my full name. Of course, I'm more known

as Kimi than Andrea, but I think it is important, as well, because that I show my full name, you know,

and obviously, you know, in the world of racing, they all called me Kimi, but which I'm fine with it,

but at home, my close friend called me Andrea.

Andrea, so was it anything to do with the famous Kimis?

No, nothing to do. Nothing to do with the famous Kimi. It was a friend of our family,

it named me Kimi, but it was not related to him.

What was it that got you into racing initially when you were a little?

Well, it was thanks to my dad. I mean, he has been a racing driver himself, and then

he's still is, but he's been running for many, many years his own racing team,

and he got me into motorsport, I think, since I was very little, I used to spend time

with him at the race track during his race weekends, and from then, I started to build a passion

for motorsport, and to be honest, to be fair, initially, didn't want me to race, because, you know,

motorsport can be amazing, but at the same time, can be brutal, and you know, he faced himself,

as well, the brutal side of the motorsport, and he didn't want me to get affected by it, you know,

that he didn't want me to get to this point about, you know, maybe difficult moments, and so on,

so he wanted to kind of protect me, but then when he saw I had so much passion for the sport,

I'm tired. I mean, but first of all, he saw that I really care about it, that, you know, it was not,

it didn't need, it didn't have to push for it, it was me pushing for it, so that's why,

that's why I understand that probably I would become a racing driver.

And you are super successful before you got to F1, so how many trophies have you got?

I would need to, I don't want to sound like, roughly, just so that people know, people,

I would need to, I mean, this is ever since you were little.

Since I was little, I would need to count them, but from caring, probably,

hundred from caring, and then from junior formula, I think roughly,

35, 40? That's pretty amazing. You're 18. That's pretty amazing. How did the link with Mercedes happen?

Well, it all started thanks to Minardi family, because they sent a message to Toto about me,

and then obviously Toto got interest, and then, you know, then he sent over to this race,

he was at the end of 2017, he sent over Gwen, you know, he said of the junior program, and, you know,

they saw that there was, luckily, you know, there was some potential, and they decided to

get him into the academy, and that was an incredible moment, because I remember being in the car

with my dad, and we remember receiving the call from Toto, and we were together, and, you know,

that call was about me getting into the program, and I think it was a really special moment,

and, yeah, so, you know, also thanks to Gwen as well, you know, for all these years as a junior,

you know, it's been always there, and trying to put me always in the best position.

If you'd like to hear more about how Kimmy was talent-spotted by Mercedes-Driver development

advisor Gwen LaGru, then you can hear from him and team principal Toto Wolf in our main series

of F1 Back at Base, a new era. Now, fast-forwarding a little bit, Sarah spoke to Kimmy on his first

day back at work in 2026, at a training camp in Miami, about his expectations for his second season

in F1. Have you already sort of looked at ways which you can do better in 2026? Yeah, for sure,

I mean, definitely I've had some time to reflect on the season, and, you know, 2026 is definitely

another year, my second year in F1, and I feel like I'm, you know, I know what to expect,

because in 25 I've been through a lot, and also I've experienced each weekend, so definitely,

for this year, I will be much more prepared on that, I will know much better what to expect,

as well from pre-season, and I feel like on that side I will be radier, I will approach things

a bit differently, definitely with a bit more confidence as well, definitely I will be

more relaxed during the weekends, and while being in the car, just because I feel like I will be

much more in control of the situation, because again, I know what to expect and the feeling,

despite being a completely different car, I think, you know, knowing the environment will know,

we'll help quite a bit and we'll help me to be more relaxed and to approach things in a slightly

different way that will help me to perform even better. And we'll find out from Kimi and Oli

themselves how they've been getting on in 2026 so far a little bit later in this episode.

Now, it's not always easy getting two in demand F1 drivers in the same room, especially when

they're from different teams, but we did just that for this series. Kimi and Oli were in high

spirits when we managed to reunite these Formula 2 teammates somewhere on the 2025 calendar.

Yeah, we'll have to keep the location under apps, Holly.

Yes, and we can't give away all our secrets, but what we can do is share some of what happened when

the pair picked questions out of a hat and interviewed each other. Who cut the paper? It looks

it's not very linear and they were having fun right from the start as you'll hear. Hi everyone,

I'm Oli Berman and I'm Kimi Antonelli and today we're going to be interviewing ourself.

What is your favorite game that you play on your phone? Just after that. I play on the phone, I have two

favorite games. One is Clash Royale. I saw you doing that last year. Oh my god. Yeah, I need to

like stop because when I travel and then I get mad at the game as well. Because you have to wait

a long time to reset everything. And then I play also Call of Duty Mobile on the phone. Do you play

any? Honestly no. TikTok. How much time do you span off track on the same and racing at home?

So I got my sim recently at home because since I left from Italy I didn't have a sim so I had to

get a new one. So now I'm driving a lot. I got it since I had it for two or three months now.

So every time I'm home I'm driving but that means I'm not driving much because I'm not really home

so much. But every day I'm going on for a bit of time driving random stuff. I got a mod of

of Monaco but the city, not the track. And then I do hot laps with all the cars around and stuff.

That's great, that's great. No, I do play as well. A lot of I racing. But I'm thinking about putting

my grandmother's name on I racing. Yeah, then you wouldn't get targeted. Yeah, I wouldn't get

targets. Are you still banned in the voice chat? Yeah, yeah. I would never get banned I think.

This one is not cut very well. So do you have any hidden talents that we might not know about?

No, definitely not chess. Smashing the chess board is. Yeah, I mean on that I was

surprising myself. One shot, one shot I split the board enough. So the gym is working well.

The gym is working well. Hidden talent. What about your stats? Oh yeah. Oh yeah, no, my hidden talent

is remembering lap times. This is my hidden talent. From 1998. Before that it gets a bit difficult.

Yeah, that's my hidden talent. I think, no, the only I remember qualifying from 91 in Suzuka.

Just that there. He wasn't there, so it's okay. I wasn't even yet. I wasn't there.

What about you, Oli? Nothing. Really nothing. Just driving. Maybe, no, just driving.

That's all I can do. Oh, these are a long one. This is well cut. One of the biggest

regulation changes in the sports history is coming in 2026. What are you doing off track to prepare

for this simulator? Yeah, lots of simulator really, because physically the cars will not be more

difficult than this year, because they will be slower. So, you know, physically I think we,

this is the hardest that we will experience. I guess for a few more years, the main thing that we

can learn is really at the simulator, because I think the car, both on the powertrain side,

but also the aerodynamics is going to be quite different. So, you know, the way you have to attack

the corners, the way you have to manage the energy is incredibly important. That's why the simulator

is good. So, less neck training, more simulator. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, it's such a big change

that it will require a lot of work on the simulator side. It's going to be a lot of very different

to all being, we've been used to. And driving wise, it's going to be a different story.

Formula One has indeed opened a new chapter in 2026 with major rule changes to how the cars

are designed and powered. If you'd like an in-depth reminder on the new regs,

then you can hear expert analysis from team insiders in our main series of F1 back at base.

But, after a season learning the ropes, how are our next gen stars, Kimi Antonelli and Oli

Berman doing in this new era of F1? Well, it wasn't all plain sailing at the opening race in

Australia. Kimi had his Mercedes pit crew up against the clock when he hit the wall during final

practice. Oh, sorry, Andrew Antonelli, in the wall where they big crash, he's moving,

steering wheel out as he gets himself out of the car. But the hard work was worth it when he qualified

in P2 behind his teammate George Russell. And, after a few more dramas on race day, that was how

they finished the Grand Prix 2. It's Mercedes 1 and 2 with Kimi Antonelli coming home in second.

After stepping off the podium, Kimi sent us an exclusive post-race voice night from Albert Park.

So, the first race of 2026, massive learning with the new regulation. Of course, we've done a lot

of testing, but it was the first time, you know, the first race weekend. So, you know, really,

really great weekend for the team. They've done, honestly, they've done such an incredible job.

Best way to start the season. And, of course, you know, my side was a very eventful weekend

of the China. A couple of days to rest before heading to China. First sprint weekend. And,

yeah, we're looking forward to it, of course. Oli Behrmann also had plenty to feel good about

after his first race back for Has. The British star was the pick of the midfield pack as he finished

seventh, making up five places during the race. And Oli also sent us his takeaway from Melbourne.

So, it's the first race of the season. The cars are definitely different to drive. That's for sure.

Australia was definitely, let's say, one of the more difficult tracks for this type of car.

But the race actually went very, very well and we finished P7. And now, with China this weekend,

I'm looking forward to going for it, hopefully, continuing the momentum. And then I'll speak with you guys after that.

So, could Kimmy and Oli possibly go one better in Shanghai? Well, after a sticky sprint race,

Kimmy got into his groove and he hit new heights in qualifying.

It's Paul for Kimmy Antonelli in the Mercedes, who becomes the youngest pole sitter in Formula One history.

What an achievement for the Italian at the age of 19 years and 201 days.

Now, in our main series, Holly asked Kimmy's race engineer, Pete Bonnington, aka Bonno,

what their goals were for 2026. And this is what he and Kimmy had to say.

I mean, their goal is always the one. Of course it is. We've had a couple of P3s, had a P2,

so the first step is the next step. Starting from pole position in Shanghai,

this was their best chance to climb to the top step of the podium. And, after losing position at the

start, Kimmy put together a near perfect race to bring home the biggest victory of his career so far.

The checkered flag is waiting and it's the first Grand Prix victory for Kimmy Antonelli in Formula One,

the 19-year-old Italian wins the Chinese Grand Prix. Yes, Kimmy, come on, my son. Yes, yes, man.

We did it. We did it, man. Well done, the M8. First race win.

It is one you're going to remember forever, though. Thank you, everyone.

You made me achieve one of my dreams.

It was heartwarming to see Kimmy and Bono share the celebrations on the podium.

A moment made just that little bit more special as his predecessor, Lewis Hamilton,

who Bono engineered to six world titles was also on the podium, as well as Mercedes' teammate,

George Russell. Now, Kimmy was pretty emotional after his maiden win, but he didn't forget to send

us a message. Hi to all the F1 back-at-days fans.

Yeah, what a day. Definitely one that I will remember forever, such a special moment,

you know, to share with my family, my team, and still struggle to find the words,

to describe because I'm still realizing what has just happened, but you know, I'm very

grateful for what has happened today, and getting the first win and massive thanks, of course,

to all the boys and girls back at Brackley and Briggsworth. Also, massive thanks to the family,

massive thanks to everyone supporting me, and also, of course, to all the people that have been

working, that comes to the weekends, as well, because at the end of the day, it was a team effort,

and yeah, I'm really grateful because today I achieved one of my big dreams, so

the still a long way, long championship, and I just want to get more of this feeling.

Kimmy may have been the driver of the day, but Oli Behrmann also put in another high quality

performance in Shanghai. He was right in the heart of the midfield battles at one point,

he was even fighting hard with Max Verstappen to finish best of the rest in fifth place,

and those ten points took haste of fourth in the team's standings ahead of Red Bull.

Here's what Oli had to say to us after the race. Hey everybody, it's Oli here reporting from

China, it's Sunday night, we've had a fantastic weekend, we had a really, really good point

soul scoring, P8 in the spring race, and now P5 in the main race, we won the midfield battle,

so I'm really, really happy, the car was fantastic, and overall we've had an excellent weekend,

so I'm really, really proud of the team, excited to get back now and see its mother's day,

so my mom, but also my girlfriend, my family, my dogs, before we get going to Japan next week. Thank you!

It feels like we're just starting our next chapter with Oli and Kimmy, even though we've now

reached the end of our journey following them, for now. They really are stepping up as the sports

next gen stars, and we can't wait to see how they get on as F1's new era continues in 2026.

Yes, and you can follow their next steps on the F1 checkered flag podcast,

and we'll return with another special episode of F1 Back at Base later this season.

F1 Back at Base was created and produced by me, Holly Samos and Sarah Holt,

and it was an IMG production for the BBC.

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