“The Formula Pro lets me set everything up exactly how I need to, which is essential when I’m using the simulator for training between races.”

Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli has revealed a new secret weapon in his fight for the 2026 world title, and it is not hidden inside the Mercedes garage.The young Italian has installed a bespoke Formula Pro simulator at his home, built by British simulator specialists Cool Performance and configured to replicate his Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One car with near-exact precision. The system was delivered just days before Antonelli claimed his breakthrough Canadian Grand Prix victory, a win that helped strengthen his grip on the championship lead.“The Formula Pro lets me set everything up exactly how I need to, which is essential when I’m using the simulator for training between races,” Antonelli said.The ultra-realistic system was designed to replicate both the feel and look of his real-world Formula One car, with every component configured by Cool Performance alongside Antonelli’s own direction and feedback, ensuring laps at home can translate directly to performance on track.

At the heart of the setup is the steering system. The rig uses a CP-S Leo Bodnar Sim Steering direct-drive wheelbase capable of delivering up to 26Nm of force feedback through a Mercedes-AMG Petronas sim racing wheel, calibrated to mirror the upper-body loads Antonelli experiences through high-speed corners at up to 260km/h, including circuits such as Suzuka.At his feet, a custom hydraulic pedal set has been fine-tuned to match his Mercedes, from brake pressure and throttle length to pedal position and travel. Even the fibreglass seat, finished in hand-stitched leather, has been moulded to mirror his exact driving position, creating muscle memory that translates directly to the car from the comfort of his home.The cockpit itself has been engineered with the same precision. Developed alongside Quaife Engineering using more than 40 individual components, the chassis is designed to resist flex under load, ensuring every angle and position remains consistent even when Antonelli is pushing at the limit. A CP-S tactile feedback system delivers vibrations through the frame to replicate gear shifts, kerb strikes and bumps, while a triple curved screen array completes the visual immersion.

Interestingly, there is no motion platform.Cool Performance says that decision is deliberate, with most professional drivers preferring consistent feedback through steering, pedals and seating position over physical movement, allowing for more repeatable training sessions and sharper muscle memory.Antonelli is now the tenth Formula One driver to use a Cool Performance simulator. The same Formula Pro system is also used at home by Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon and reigning world champion Lando Norris, who relied on the simulator throughout his 2025 title-winning campaign.For the Italian teen, whose rise has been one of the biggest stories of the season, the simulator could prove to be another crucial piece in his championship puzzle.For many drivers, an accurate home simulator offers the chance to test setup changes, refine strategy and learn circuits away from team pressure and without leaning on a teammate’s data, creating a more natural environment to find performance gains.While Antonelli’s version is custom-built to Formula One specification, the Formula Pro is also available to the public, with Cool Performance offering configurations for drivers and enthusiasts around the world. For many, it is the closest experience possible to driving an F1 car without stepping onto a race track, with prices starting at £30,600.