Kimi Antonelli Emphasizes Crucial 'Click' for F1 Qualifying Performance

Kimi Antonelli has highlighted the critical importance of strong qualifying pace to score points in Formula 1, especially in a season where track position is paramount. With the current regulatory cycle ending, the F1 grid is exceptionally condensed, leading to unpredictable and tight margins in qualifying.

Why it matters:

This season, overtaking has been particularly challenging due to the significant dirty air generated by the cars. This makes track position a crucial determinant for race outcomes, elevating qualifying performance to an essential factor for any driver aiming to consistently score points. For Antonelli, improving his qualifying 'click' is key to unlocking better race results and challenging his teammate.

The Details:

• Track Position is King: Antonelli stressed that “Track position this year has been basically everything,” noting that gaining places on lap one significantly increases the likelihood of maintaining them throughout the race.
• Impact of Clean Air: He explained that driving in clean air is “so powerful and so much easier,” reinforcing why starting higher up the grid is vital.
• Qualifying Importance: With incredibly tight gaps across the grid, Antonelli emphasized that “qualifying is very important” and that even minor mistakes are heavily penalized.
• Q3 Struggles: Antonelli acknowledged his personal challenge in Q3, stating, “for sure, within me, there's more to come when it's about Q3.”
• Teammate Comparison: George Russell has consistently out-qualified Antonelli, leading 18-2 in their head-to-head qualifying battles over 20 events this year. Antonelli has also struggled at times to even make it into the top 10 shootout.
• The 'Click' Factor: Antonelli believes that improving his qualifying performance hinges on “understanding how to put more things together, especially when we come into the final stages of qualifying.” He is confident that if he can achieve that “click,” his results will significantly improve.

What's next:

Antonelli's focus on refining his qualifying approach underscores a critical area for improvement as he continues to adapt to the competitive demands of Formula 1. If he can find that elusive 'click' and consistently unlock his full pace in Q3, it could be a game-changer for his season and future prospects.