Andrea Kimi Antonelli will revert to an older suspension setup for the Hungarian Grand Prix in an attempt to halt his recent decline in Formula 1 performance. The Mercedes rookie, who started strongly with five points finishes in his first six races, has scored only once in the last seven rounds.
Why it matters
Antonelli's struggles began after a suspension change introduced for the Imola GP, negatively impacting his confidence and ability to adapt. This strategic return to a previous setup highlights a critical effort by Mercedes and Antonelli to regain his early-season form.
The context
Antonelli attributes his performance drop to the new suspension, which he says didn't suit his aggressive driving style, making the car unpredictable. While he achieved a maiden F1 podium in Montreal, he views that as an outlier due to unique track characteristics.
The details
Both Antonelli and teammate George Russell will use the suspension setup that was in place when Mercedes was McLaren's closest challenger earlier in the year. Antonelli admits he struggled to adapt his driving style to the newer suspension, unlike Russell who found ways to manage it better.
What's next
Antonelli's decision was solidified after a particularly challenging weekend at Spa, where he failed to progress past Q1 in both the sprint and grand prix. He expressed frustration with his inability to perform and views this suspension change as a crucial step to regain confidence and deliver results. He currently sits seventh in the championship.