At the Monza circuit during Friday’s second practice session, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli experienced a challenging moment after sliding into the gravel trap near the second Lesmo corner. Despite this early setback, the 19-year-old Italian driver remains confident in his potential to recover and perform well, demonstrating resilience amid the pressures of Formula 1 competition.
Antonelli acknowledged the cause of his mishap as pushing too hard in search of grip, stating,
“I just pushed a bit too hard for the grip at that moment and it was a shame,”
he admitted. Nevertheless, he maintained a positive outlook, adding,
“the day was looking good. I had a good FP1 and then the start of FP2 was looking strong, so confidence is still high.”
Reflections on Previous Challenges and Adjustments Ahead
Having experienced a significant wall strike at the Parabolica corner during his FP1 debut last year, Antonelli is keen to avoid repeating past mistakes. He noted the need for a flexible approach as the weekend progresses, saying,
“Obviously, tomorrow we’ll have to do a bit of a different programme but we’ll try to be ready for anything.”
His comments underline a readiness to adapt strategy and car setup to the evolving demands of Monza’s fast and technical layout.
Teammate George Russell Also Faces Difficulties in Practice
Antonelli’s teammate, George Russell, encountered his own struggles during the same session, finishing 10th and grappling with vehicle stability issues caused by the low downforce setup suited to the Monza track. Reflecting on his experience, Russell said,
“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,”
highlighting the challenges faced by multiple drivers.
Russell further explained,
“It was just difficult to keep the car in a good spot,”
illustrating the difficulty of managing the balance required in such demanding conditions. He also shared his perspective on the performance gap:
“Usually three tenths off would be just behind McLarens, so it’s tight and I expect that to be the same tomorrow.”
Anticipating the Next Steps at Monza
As the sessions continue, all focus turns to whether Antonelli can transform his determined confidence into a strong qualifying and race performance. His ability to learn from incidents and stay composed under pressure will be closely watched by fans and experts alike. The unfolding weekend at Monza promises intense competition and valuable insights into the progress of this promising talent in the high-stakes setting of Formula 1.
