Mercedes Admit Simulator Glitch Hampered Antonelli’s F1 Prep

Mercedes has revealed that a significant simulator failure at their Brackley headquarters disrupted Kimi Antonelli’s preparation for recent races. This technical setback added considerable pressure on the teenage rookie as he continues to adapt to the demanding environment of Formula 1.

Why it matters:

• For a young driver making his way into F1, thorough preparation is paramount. Any disruption, especially one involving crucial simulator time, can severely impact performance and confidence.
• Mercedes' acknowledgment highlights the critical role technology plays in driver development and race readiness in modern F1.

The Details:

• Antonelli experienced a challenging period in the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix, including a collision with Charles Leclerc at Zandvoort (finishing 16th) and a struggle to ninth place at Monza.
• Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin confirmed that a simulator issue prevented Antonelli from adequate preparation for Zandvoort.
  • Shovlin stated, "With Zandvoort, he came in for a simulator session, and we had some issues that meant he wasn’t really able to do the prep there. He then makes a mistake in FP1. Well, I think we need to own a bit of that responsibility and that we couldn’t do the normal prep."
• Post-Glitch Performance: After a full and trouble-free simulator session before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Antonelli significantly improved his performance.
  • He secured a strong fourth place in Baku, marking his best result since the Canadian Grand Prix in June.

What's next:

• Mercedes boss Toto Wolff praised Antonelli's "really good rebound" after what he had earlier described as an "underwhelming" Monza outing, emphasizing the importance of this result for consolidation.
• Antonelli's points finish in Baku, combined with George Russell's second-place finish, helped Mercedes overtake Ferrari in the constructors' championship.
  • Mercedes now holds second place with 290 points, four clear of Ferrari, with Red Bull further behind in fourth. This performance underscores the team's strong mid-season form.
• With the simulator issues resolved and Antonelli showing clear signs of improvement, Mercedes will aim to maintain this momentum and further integrate their young talent into consistent front-running performances.