Mercedes Sees More Proof of Antonelli's Talent, But Needs More
Summary
Kimi Antonelli shows raw speed in his F1 debut, but needs to improve his race pace, according to Mercedes. Strong qualifying results in Miami were offset by struggles in the race, highlighting areas for development.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli's debut Formula 1 season is showing encouraging signs of speed and potential for Mercedes. However, both team principal Toto Wolff and Antonelli himself recognize the need for significant improvement in race pace.
Miami Breakthrough
- Antonelli had a strong weekend in Miami, demonstrating his raw talent.
- He outqualified teammate George Russell twice, including securing pole position for the sprint race.
- His previous average deficit in one-lap pace was 0.370 seconds, showcasing a narrowing gap.
Race Performance
- Despite the strong qualifying performance, Antonelli was defeated by Russell in the main race for the sixth time.
- He initially gained positions at the start but was overtaken by both McLarens.
- His pace on medium tires was comparable to Russell's pace on hard tires, indicating potential.
- A Virtual Safety Car period impacted his strategy, causing him to fall to sixth place.
- On hard tires later in the race, he struggled considerably, losing 14 seconds over the final 27 laps compared to Russell.
Team and Driver Perspectives
- Toto Wolff praised Antonelli's single-lap speed as an encouraging sign, but acknowledged that race consistency and overall performance need to improve.
- Antonelli himself recognizes the need to enhance his race craft and maintain a consistent pace throughout the race.
Original Article :https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-has-found-another-proof-of-kimi-anto...