Antonelli Pinpoints Pressure and Car Issues in Mercedes Performance Dip

Antonelli Pinpoints Pressure and Car Issues in Mercedes Performance DipKimi Antonelli has revealed that mounting pressure, combined with car struggles, accelerated a "downfall" in his performance earlier this F1 season. The Mercedes junior, amidst his rookie campaign, experienced a damaging slump after an initial strong start.### Why it matters:Antonelli, a highly-touted Mercedes junior, is under immense scrutiny as a potential future F1 driver. His struggles and subsequent recovery highlight the mental and technical challenges even the most promising talents face under pressure, particularly when combined with car development issues.### The Big Picture:After a promising start to his rookie campaign, scoring points in five of the first six rounds, Antonelli's form plummeted. This downturn coincided with a rear suspension update on his W16 at Imola, which made the car unstable and eroded his confidence. This sparked a downward spiral, with only a maiden podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix to show for the next seven rounds.### The Details:Antonelli typically views pressure as a positive, citing the adage "pressure is a privilege." However, as he struggled with the car's handling, this perspective shifted."Because I was struggling so much, then I couldn't really handle the pressure that well, and that was a bit of the downfall for me," he explained.Mercedes has since reverted the suspension development. Since then, Antonelli has shown clear signs of recovery, scoring his first point in Europe at the Hungarian Grand Prix and following that with two more at Monza, signaling a return to form.He praised Mercedes for their support in handling intense situations, like defending his position in Canada, and during his difficult period:"They always try to support me, and also they always try to help me, especially in moments when I'm struggling, and that helps as well to feel a bit less pressure, because you've got the team behind you."### What's Next:With the car's handling improved and strong team support, Antonelli is focused on maintaining his upward trajectory. He aims to vanquish the demons that plagued him since the start of the European season and continue building momentum through the remainder of his rookie campaign.