Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli triggered the red flag during the second practice session at Monza after his W16 got stuck in the gravel, marking a repeat of the problem he faced during his Formula 1 debut last year. The incident occurred as Antonelli took control of George Russell’s car during Friday practice, ending his session prematurely.
Background and Recent Performance Challenges
Antonelli’s 2025 contract with Mercedes was officially announced during the 2024 Italian Grand Prix weekend, the same event where he encountered difficulties behind the wheel. This was his first return to Monza since joining Mercedes, and it mirrored a similar event just a week earlier when he beached the car in practice at Zandvoort before the Dutch Grand Prix. During the incident at Monza, Antonelli lost control at the two Lesmos corners, sending him off track and into the gravel.
Though the 19-year-old confirmed he was unharmed, the car’s position required recovery assistance, abruptly ending his FP2 session.
Antonelli Reflects on Monza and the Weekend Ahead
Antonelli acknowledged the mixed emotions Monza brings, saying,
“Yeah, it happened a lot of things,”
during the Thursday press conference. He described the venue as both a place of fond memories and challenges, adding,
“I have good memories, but also really bad memories here, but it’s a really special place and I think it’s going to be a special weekend because it’s not just my second home race, but obviously, as you said, this is where it all started with the announcement, so that’s why it’s going to be a very special one, but it’s been very intense ever since, but so far it’s gone quite OK.”
—Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Looking ahead, Antonelli commented on the competitive nature of the current season:
“It’s always tough to say because the cars now are getting closer and closer, but last year the car was actually, looking at the result, especially in qualifying, they were up there. So this year has been a bit of the trend that the car, where it’s been good last year, was also quite good this year, so hopefully it’s going to be the same, but we never know.”
—Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Significance of the Incident and Expectations Moving Forward
Antonelli’s repeated gravel incidents highlight the challenges faced by young drivers adapting to high-pressure environments like Formula 1. His ability to stay composed despite setbacks at Monza and Zandvoort demonstrates resilience, while the ongoing refinement of the Mercedes W16 will be critical in improving race performance. With his contract confirmed through 2025, Antonelli’s experiences this weekend are key to his development and the team’s strategic planning ahead.
