Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ rookie driver, maintained his confidence despite an off-track moment during the second practice session at Monza on Friday. The incident occurred early into the one-hour session as the young Italian aimed to recover momentum after a challenging spell in Formula 1.
Within ten minutes of the session starting, Antonelli lost control on the second Lesmo corner and slid into the gravel, becoming stuck and unable to continue flying laps. This setback cost him valuable time on the track but did not shake his belief in his capabilities as he prepares to race at a circuit where he previously faced a tough first appearance.
Details of Antonelli’s Difficult Second Practice Session
The 19-year-old explained the cause of his misjudgment:
“I just pushed a bit too hard for the grip at that moment and it was a shame,”
he said.
“The day was looking good. I had a good FP1 and then the start of FP2 was looking strong, so confidence is still high.”
Antonelli remains positive despite the early exit from FP2 and is adapting his plans for Saturday’s final practice and qualifying.
“Obviously, tomorrow we’ll have to do a bit of a different programme but we’ll try to be ready for anything,”
he added, signaling his readiness to approach the weekend with flexibility despite the interruption.
Challenges Faced by Mercedes and Russell’s Reflection on the Session
Fellow Mercedes driver George Russell also experienced difficulties during the session, finishing 10th and acknowledging several challenging moments in the low downforce W16 car. Russell lost around three-tenths of a second to the fastest McLaren driven by Lando Norris.
Russell described the tricky conditions:
“It didn’t feel amazing out there. I was struggling for a bit of confidence and I had a few moments similar to like Kimi,”
he said.
“It was just difficult to keep the car in a good spot.”
Reflecting on the nature of the Monza track and the characteristics of the car, he continued,
“It was a tricky day at Monza, you’re back on that low downforce car, sort of floating around and the rear’s pretty loose. It didn’t feel spectacular out there for us today.”
Russell saw the gap to McLaren as close, predicting a tight competition continuing into Saturday:
“Usually three tenths off would be just behind McLarens, so it’s tight and I expect that to be the same tomorrow.”
The Road Ahead for Antonelli and Mercedes at the Italian Grand Prix
Antonelli’s off-track excursion at Monza highlights the challenges young drivers face when adapting to high-speed circuits in Formula 1, especially with powerful, low-downforce cars. Returning to Monza exactly one year after a harsh first practice day includes both emotional and competitive significance.
The Mercedes team will now focus on refining their approach through the final practice and qualifying sessions to maximize performance despite Saturday’s adjusted program. Antonelli’s maintained composure illustrates his determination to learn from the experience and build confidence for the remainder of the weekend and his debut season.
