Mercedes not panicking after difficult months for Antonelli: This is why

14:58, 21 Aug

byLudo van Denderen

Andrea Kimi Antonelli made his debut as a Grand Prix driver at the age of eighteen, and expectations were high. Was the Italian just as prodigious as Max Verstappen? The answer to that question is hard to give halfway through his first season, as the driver has had excellent moments with his Mercedes, as well as undergoing some difficult periods.

Mercedes is certainly not daunted by this, Bradley Lord tells a small group of media - including GPblog. "We know that a rookie season has ups and downs and it's full of learning", explains the team representative of the German racing stable.

Difficult moments expected for Antonelli

"And that's going to be the positive learnings and the positive surprises and also the more difficult moments. It's certainly true that Kimi as one would expect where the car has become more difficult, and both drivers are lacking confidence and the ability to commit to the corner with the car that has been a struggle for him as well. It has cost him confidence.."

Mercedes believes in Kimi Antonelli

According to Lord, the main thing is to improve the W16, so that Antonelli can show his talent again. Because there is no uncertainty about that at Mercedes; Antonelli is an excellent driver. "There isn't any doubt or any lack of anything on Kimi's side, apart from experience that he hasn't yet got."

Mercedes supports Antonelli

Therefore, Mercedes wants to mainly support Antonelli in his development.

"That comes from spending time with the team spending time with the engineers, really understanding what we're doing with the car and how he can extract the maximum from it.

"And for us, the priority is giving him a car with which he can express the talent that we know he's got and continue to realise the potential that we know is there as well."