Antonelli explains struggles in China after sustaining floor damage as he hig…read more
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli faced significant challenges during the Chinese Grand Prix, where damage sustained early in the race affected his performance. Despite this setback, he managed to secure a valuable sixth-place finish after Ferrari’s double disqualification promoted him from eighth to sixth.
Antonelli revealed that the floor damage occurred on the very first lap, although he was unaware of the issue until the team informed him after the race. He explained, “I struggled this race, it was quite difficult to hold on. Already from Lap 1, I felt that something was off with the car.” The team later informed him that debris had caused the damage, which significantly impacted his car’s performance, particularly affecting the rear of the vehicle. Despite this, the 18-year-old Italian remained focused and adapted to the situation, which he acknowledged as an important learning experience. “It was good learning to have to deal with that,” Antonelli added.
The race in China was marked by high tyre degradation, especially for cars racing in dirty air, making it harder to maintain consistent performance. Given these conditions, Antonelli’s ability to stay in the top 10 despite the damage was impressive. His teammate, George Russell, showcased the car’s potential for podium finishes, but Antonelli still managed to deliver a solid performance under difficult circumstances.
Although his result in China was not as spectacular as his recovery from 16th to 4th in Melbourne, Antonelli still earned the “Driver of the Day” accolade. Many rookies struggled in the unpredictable conditions, but the Mercedes rookie showed resilience. After the race, Antonelli expressed satisfaction with his overall start to the season but highlighted an area where he aims to improve: qualifying.
“I think one of the main points of learning for me has been Qualifying,” Antonelli said. He believes that if he can improve his Saturday performances, it will help him secure better grid positions, reduce the likelihood of getting caught in incidents, and ultimately allow him to maximize the potential of the car.
Currently, Antonelli sits fifth in the Driver Standings with 22 points, just 12 behind Oscar Piastri, who finished first in China. With the next race in Japan, the young driver is focused on improving his qualifying results and continuing to develop his skills as he adapts to the challenges of Formula 1. Antonelli’s steady progress so far demonstrates his potential, and as the season moves forward, all eyes will be on how he handles the challenges that lie ahead.
