The reasons behind Antonelli’s recent difficulties

While Kimi Antonelli has lived complicated events in recent weeks, things have not been able to move on the difficult circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. Consequently, Nineteenth in Sprint qualifications. Nevertheless, 17th at the arrival of the short race, again 19th in main qualifications, then 16th at the arrival of the Belgian Grand Prix … Moreover, The Italian weekend quickly turned to the nightmare.

Asked about the reasons for his difficulties. In addition, the young pilot above all explained that he had lost all confidence in the car, especially in qualifying. Consequently, “I think, on the piloting side, it was better on this race. Similarly, I just have to continue working for qualifications”he said after the arrival on Sunday. Moreover, “During Lare a few laps where I was in the open air, I clearly took much more pleasure. In reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties addition, Then being stuck … Furthermore, is quite frustrating because you can’t really release your real rhythm. For example, “

“When I was in the open air. However, I did the [meilleur] Tour, then once blocked, I was suddenly two seconds slower. Meanwhile, It was complicated, but I think I shouldn’t leave so far. Similarly, I think I have to work on my qualifiers. Nevertheless, regain confidence in the car to be able to leave more in front. Consequently, When we go ahead, it’s a little different. “

Some Antonelli (Mercedes)

Photo de: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Antonelli’s difficulties date back to the Grand Prix of Émilie-Romagne. a real skid in the results of Mercedes. Since Imola. the performances of the silver arrows have decreased significantly and those of the young Italian in qualifying have fogled. While he accumulated four qualifications in the top 6. five appearances in Q3 in the first six races of the season, the rookie found the top 6 on the grid only twice and reached the Q3 four times in the last seven heats.

George Russell said the German team would meet this week to try to crop the shot before the summer break. possibly return to a car reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties specification used earlier in the year. Andrew Shovlin. director of Mercedes on track engineering, spoke of a similar approach when an immediate reaction seems necessary on the side of Brackley.

“Even if we completely do not know the time. if we do not know the points that we are not scoring anymore, as was the case earlier in the year, and that we focus only on what the pilots tell us about the car, they tell us that the car of today, and that of the last races in general, suffers from instability in high speed braking, and in fast turns, in a way that did not exist at the start of the season.”said Shovlin.

“At the beginning of the year. it was a relatively easy to settle car, relatively easy to adjust in qualifying so that it was efficient. It was not enough to be competitive in the reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties championship. but it was much easier to manage than the car with which we have to deal today.”

Kimi does not have this experience that relying on. and that is probably why you have noticed a slight change in its results recently.

reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in the Paddock of the GP of Belgium.

Photo of: zak mauger / lat images via getty images

The British engineer explained that Antonelli’s setbacks were linked to “Changes made to the car” Earlier in the year. probably around the GP of Emilie-Romagne, and that these difficulties did not only reach Italian, but also his teammate George Russell. However. with his great experience in F1 and having notably piloted fairly capricious single -seaters in his career, Russell manages to better bypass the difficulties of W16.

“I think what you saw in the latest qualifications is that George is based on his many years of. experience in F1 to try to get the most out of a difficult car”said Shovlin. “Kimi does not have this experience on which to rely. and that is probably why you have noticed a slight change in reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties its results recently.”

“But once again. it comes to the fact that we have to solve this problem, because there is still a long way to go this year. It is very likely that it is linked to a change that we have brought to the car. and we must return to a base of settings where everything works more normal.”

“Kimi has experienced a few difficult weekends. but he receives a lot of technical support from Bono [Peter Bonnington, son ingénieur de course, ndlr] And engineers on its side of the garage. As a team. we are well aware that what we have to focus on are the weaknesses of the car, not just the elements with which Kimi has trouble. “

“And as I said. the fact is that George relies on all his experience, a large part reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties having been acquired with cars that are difficult to drive, to succeed in his qualification tricks. We find a lot of time during the sessions. It is simply because George learns to recognize when he can trust the car. rely, but he does not obtain this feeling naturally.”

Reasons behind antonelli's recent difficulties – Reasons behind antonelli's recent difficulties

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Some Antonelli (Mercedes)

Photo de: Sam Bloxham reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties / Motorsport Images

Despite the recent results of Antonelli. Shovlin affirmed the without detour of Mercedes with regard to the young driver. He claims that. although the team must focus on the general concerns of the car and not only those who disturb the rookie, making the W16 less problematic should allow a clear improvement in the performance of the Italian.

“Kimi is on a steep learning curve and he will continue to progress as a pilot”he added. “The fact that its initial performance was better than today comes almost certainly that the car is less competitive. and this is also reflected in George’s results.”

“We have already seen that many times. When a young driver arrives in a very good car, he can often impress very quickly. When a young driver arrives in a difficult car, it’s very complicated to get there week after week. We have seen reasons behind antonelli’s recent difficulties enough things from Kimi to know that he has a lot of talent. But what will help George also help Kimi, and that will probably help Kimi even more.”