Kimi Antonelli blamed going into “autopilot” mode as the explanation for his hair-raising second late within the Components 1 Chinese language Grand Prix – vowing it is going to by no means occur once more.
The 19-year-old gained from pole on Sunday to take his maiden grand prix victory, main team-mate George Russell in a Mercedes 1-2 having managed a lot of the competition.
Antonelli took the chequered flag by 5.515s, however it may have been extra had it not been for his lap 53 incident the place he locked up at Flip 14 and went off with three excursions remaining,
That diminished his nine-second benefit to seven, so it did not damage him an excessive amount of, however was nonetheless a nerve-wracking second for the sophomore racer. It led race engineer Peter Bonnington to immediately come onto the radio to say “let’s simply get this residence”.
Talking of the incident, Antonelli stated: “I braked a bit later, the tyres have been virtually completed and there was a tailwind, so there have been a couple of components.
“However I had a great margin, fortunately. After I watched the footage once more earlier than going to the rostrum, I used to be shocked. I used to be alone, good and calm, and I made a mistake. However now I can say it went effectively and it gained’t occur once more.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Dom Gibbons / Components 1 through Getty Photographs
“There was a part of the race the place I managed issues lots, then when the group advised me I may push, I began decreasing the instances. I used to be having fun with myself, perhaps even an excessive amount of, since on the lap the place I made the braking mistake, I used to be actually pushing laborious and there was no want.
“It grew to become a type of conditions the place it feels such as you’ve switched on autopilot, you’re driving with none psychological effort, however I relaxed a bit an excessive amount of and the error got here. A lesson discovered.”
The win on Sunday leaves Antonelli second within the championship after two rounds, 4 factors behind Russell who gained each the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Shanghai dash.
The Silver Arrows is the group to have nailed the 2026 regulation change, which presents Antonelli with an awesome alternative to struggle for wins and even championships this early in his profession.
When a possible title problem was put to him, the Italian stated: “We’ve solely had two races, and I believe there are about 20 extra to go.
Learn Additionally:
“Proper now I simply wish to get pleasure from this end result, whereas actually protecting my toes on the bottom. I’m conscious that I’m a part of an awesome group and that I’ve an excellent automobile that doesn’t rule out any goal: we are able to struggle for the championship.
“However beating George is certainly not simple – we have to preserve working and pushing.”
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photographs through Getty Photographs
Beating Russell is actually laborious, notably because the 28-year-old is now in his eighth season of the championship so, in actuality, must be popping out on prime towards his teenage team-mate.
“Expertise,” is what Antonelli put down as his room for enchancment. “Which means with the ability to put all the pieces collectively when it issues and cut back errors to absolutely the minimal.
“Expertise performs a vital function as a result of it permits you to have the scenario below management in each situation: even while you’re struggling you will discover a approach out rapidly.
“However I wish to play my playing cards. At first of this yr I stated I might attempt to be as prepared as doable, as a result of the chance I’ve doesn’t come round fairly often.”
Learn Additionally:
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Crew
