Kimi Antonelli Sees Mercedes 'In the Fight' After Strong Baku Start

Kimi Antonelli, after a challenging European leg, made a promising start to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, expressing confidence that Mercedes is "in the fight" following a positive opening day at the Baku City Circuit. His fourth-place finish in second practice, alongside George Russell's third, provided a significant boost for the team.

Why it matters:

After a difficult Italian GP and a continuous nightmare during the European part of the season, a strong performance in Baku could signal a turning point for both Antonelli and Mercedes. It's crucial for the team to regain momentum and for the young Italian driver to build confidence as the season progresses into the flyaway races.

The Details:

• Positive Start: Antonelli finished fourth in FP2, just behind teammate George Russell (third), indicating improved pace for Mercedes after a struggle at the Italian GP.
• Confidence Boost: Antonelli described the day as "pretty positive," focusing on building confidence step-by-step on the challenging street circuit.
• Rhythm Building: Despite a disrupted FP1, he felt he was able to "build lap by lap" in FP2, finding a rhythm.
• Gap to Rivals: While acknowledging there's "still two, three tenths to find" to match Ferrari's pace, Antonelli believes Mercedes "can be in the fight."
• Tyre Strategy: Pirelli has brought softer compounds this year, leading Antonelli to predict the medium tyre might be the preferred choice for qualifying, adding an interesting tactical layer.

What's next:

Antonelli anticipates a tight qualifying session, with McLaren's true pace yet to be revealed. The focus for Mercedes will be to find those crucial tenths and optimize their tyre strategy for Saturday. Resolving the remaining few tenths to catch Ferrari and managing the tyre conundrum will be key for Mercedes' prospects in Baku.

Between the lines:

Antonelli's cautious optimism after a series of difficult races suggests a shift in Mercedes' form. His direct acknowledgement of Ferrari's speed, while still claiming a place "in the fight," shows a realistic but determined outlook. The 'nightmare' European leg has clearly motivated him to push harder, and Baku offers a chance to reset.