Kimi Antonelli Ready for Monza After Imola Lessons Learned

Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli is "much more prepared" for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza, aiming to avoid a repeat of his difficult home race at Imola earlier this season. The 19-year-old rookie faced a challenging Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May, only the seventh round of his young F1 career.

• Why it matters: Antonelli's Imola weekend was marred by intense off-track demands and a poorly managed schedule, leading to burnout and underperformance. Learning from this is crucial for his F1 development and future prospects, especially with a Mercedes contract extension reportedly imminent.
• The details:
  • Imola struggles: Antonelli, from nearby Bologna, had a packed schedule including visits from classmates. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was absent, and the team admitted to misjudging the demands.
  • Technical issues: A since-discarded rear suspension upgrade on his W16 compounded his difficulties, resulting in a P13 qualification and a race retirement due to a mechanical issue.
  • Lessons learned: Antonelli states he now understands "how I need to behave over the race weekend, in order to be able to be 100 percent every time I get in the car."
• Looking ahead: Antonelli plans to focus on energy management, admitting he was "pretty tired" by Saturday at Imola. He hopes to "exorcise the demons" of a practice crash at Monza last year, delivering a strong performance in front of his home crowd.