Andrea Kimi Antonelli talks about learning fromFP1 accident and just how he really feels F1 prepared currently, while Toto Wolff adds about his trip and line-up.
After rumours of Antonelli being advertised to F1 in 2025 by Mercedes, the action was validated throughout the Italian GENERAL PRACTITIONER at Monza, a day after the young person had a collision in his very first FP1 run in location of his future colleague George Russell.
Despite that a person spot, Mercedes were strong about their choice. In truth, Wolff currently had this in mind after Lewis Hamilton chose to switch over toFerrari He did take a look around yet apart from Max Verstappen, no one resembled the one to take the seast.
After fast-tracking his occupation from Formula Regional to F2, Antonelli is straight to F1 regardless of not winning the junior champion. He has actually revealed glances of excellent efficiency as a novice in the feeder collection, yet undoubtedly has much to discover.
He really feels F1 prepared from the last time though, after string of trial run which was increase by Mercedes to obtain him as prepared as feasible. He will certainly have an additional FP1 and examination days in Abu Dhabi to obtain even more running under his belt in the 2024 automobile.
Antonelli additionally talked about his feeling in a F1 automobile for the very first time when he drove throughout examination days, as Wolff increased on learning by hand particularly after his FP1 shunt. Overall, he is complete with satisfaction seeing vehicle drivers from the program obtaining their due.
Learning from FP1 session, accident–
Antonelli: “Yeah, I mean, it was not the ideal session for sure. Definitely, I learned the lesson, unfortunately, in a tough way. But yeah, I learned that I cannot go flat out looking for the limits straight away. Especially looking back, the track was very slippery. The grip was quite a bit lower than expected. So yeah, I guess I was pushing too hard. For sure, for the next few times, I’ll just try to build around more progressively instead of just trying to find the limits straight away. Was it difficult to take with that kind of aftermath? I mean, yeah, right after the crash, the next 30 minutes were really difficult. But then I just tried to reset because I had to do an extra quali just an hour after the FP1. So I just tried to focus the best way into F2. And I think having the session right after really helped me to just forget about what happened.”
Wolff: “I think one of the key ingredients of the really best ones is to hit the ground up and running and be straight, fast. And you remember we talked about the F3 test in Silverstone in the rain, which I mean, two drivers were on the first flight, and he was four seconds quicker than the rest. Now that beat him in FP1. And that’s going to be a value lesson. Because it’s not about having fun in an F3 car in Silverstone in the rain. It’s Formula 1. There’s a lot of responsibility also that comes with it especially for the best car brand in the world for many thousands of people. And that’s why Kimi landed a very, very hard way. I think that moment must have been very tough. And compromised George for his day and his week. And Kimi knows that. But you know, sometimes it needs to sting, and then it sticks.”
First time in F1 automobile, sensation–
Antonelli: “It was such a great feeling. The car is such a great machinery, super fast. And it just gives you a lot of confidence. And I think also coming back from what happened in FP1, it’s just that too much confidence with the car, eventually that didn’t play on my way. So I think the first time was such a great feeling to feel the power, the braking, and everything. Also, walking into the garage, seeing so many people around the car, it was just something I was not used to. And it was just great. Then about the rumors and talking about stepping out to F1, of course in the first moment you feel a bit, it doesn’t seem to be real. But then I fully trust in Mercedes, and they trust in me, and there’s always a reason behind their decisions. So my job now, also, that I step up, is to learn as much as possible and be ready for 2025.”
TPCs, what transformed to really feel prepared currently–
Antonelli: “W e did 2 in red in A1 ring, yet the very first was recognizing. Then 2 in Imola, one in Silverstone, 2 in Barcelona, and the last one was 2 in Spain. So we have actually done 10 TPCs, and we will certainly proceed with that said due to the fact that when you consider the plan in the past that Lewis offered, i t was a great deal of screening to prepare not just for the driving, yet additionally experiencing a race weekend break prep work. It’s what we have actually done additionally in the last one, to ensure that program is mosting likely to proceed. B etween that time period [of not being ready], I have actually been doing some TPCs, and I have actually seen some significant renovations. I have actually been really feeling better in the automobile.
“I have to say one of my weakest points, I would say, was the long run, and in the last few TPCs, I’ve been improving that a lot. I think also because I was feeling much better with the car, also with all the procedures, made me change the mind. Of course, I still have so much to learn, learning how to deal with a full race weekend, and I think FP1 was the proof. And learning with all..like still managing all the procedures, not only on the steering wheel, but also starts. So, yes, still so much to learn, (11:23) but every time I go in the car, I feel much better.”
Wolff: “When thinking about an opportunity at Williams, for example, we hope to continue with our program and continue to educate Kimi, finishing with another F1 session, free practice session, not qualifying session, and then doing Abu Dhabi and taking it from there. Because I think the more kilometers we do, especially in a car that is not great, the TPC car that was not our best car, it’s going to get him, I don’t know, 15, between 15 and 20 days under the bed, and that’s important.”
Pride with Russell, Antonelli–
Wolff: “ I really feel a lot satisfaction resting with these 2. T o see young vehicle drivers experiencing the program from a very very early age onwards, winning every little thing that requires to be won, ticking all packages. I bear in mind with George, just how much stress you received from us. You need to win every … you supplied in your novice year in F3. Then w inning F2, you supplied right from the start in theFormula One The very same for Kimi from karting onwards. That’s not a provided. We fail to remember often just how unusual efficiencies like these 2 are, s uper unusual.
“I spent lots of time with Gwen and with his team to look at performances straight from the go-karting onwards. There’s no one who has that today. Occasionally, we have somebody that is a frontrunner. Occasionally, somebody wins an international title. But it’s never sustainable. The rare species of racing drivers that are capable of winning year after year, championship after championship, doesn’t exist very often. And that we’re sitting here with two of them that have been delivering, that is super proud for us at Mercedes-Benz. And having a full young driver line-up now with the two of you is much more than just a driver announcement.”
Here’s Kimi Raikkonen on Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Here’s first ideas from Toto Wolff, Lewis Hamilton on Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Here’s Mercedes validating Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Here’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli on FP1 accident
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