Kimi Antonelli arrived within the Silverstone Components 1 paddock sporting a model‑new blue uniform, the identical one adopted by the complete Mercedes staff. In his arms, he proudly carried a scale mannequin of the well-known Blue Marvel, the historic automobile constructed by the Stuttgart producer as a one‑off within the Fifties to move its grand prix automobiles. It serves as the symbol of Mercedes’ new retro merchandise assortment, impressed by the enduring Rennwagen Schnelltransporter.
It’s instantly clear how relaxed Antonelli feels. The championship stress that many anticipated to weigh on his rookie season has to this point remained at a distance. For the primary time since he first placed on a helmet and race go well with, Kimi already is aware of the place he shall be racing subsequent yr, a brand new scenario for him as properly.
Il modellino del “Blue Marvel” il mezzo di trasporto veloce Mercedes degli anni ’50
Foto di: Roberto Chinchero
“The optimistic aspect of this case is you could solely concentrate on driving, understanding there aren’t any lingering query marks,” he mentioned. “However, although, there’s additionally the hazard that having certainties would possibly lead you to loosen up, and that may be a lure I do not wish to fall into.
“My strategy stays to exit on monitor to show I deserve the chance I have been given. Past that, I feel I’ll spend a way more peaceable summer time in comparison with 12 months in the past.”
Recovering from a disappointing Austrian GP
Within the debrief following the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes defended the strategic decisions adopted in Spielberg. Listening to Antonelli, nonetheless, one will get the sensation that these explanations didn’t totally persuade him.
“I used to be informed that the technique chosen for me was the quickest one,” he defined. “They needed to present me an opportunity within the last phases by counting on a brisker set of tires. Clearly, I voiced my opinion, and I stay of the view that we missed the prospect to tug off an undercut on Verstappen on the finish of each the primary and second stints.
“Contemplating additionally the tempo I used to be capable of preserve, particularly on the onerous compound, I imagine that by stopping just a few laps earlier we would not have had degradation points. Within the last stint, I set my quickest lap two laps earlier than the chequered flag, when the tires had already lined 20 laps.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Foto di: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Antonelli can be nonetheless ready for a definitive reply concerning the brake challenge that impacted his race.
“I had some issues all through the weekend, not simply within the race,” he added. “Within the opening laps, when I discovered myself behind Charles, there was a temperature distinction between the precise and left sides of the braking system: one was hotter than the opposite, and this made the automobile a bit unstable underneath braking. The pedal was additionally longer than normal. The staff is investigating the causes, and I feel I will know one thing extra at the moment.”
The third place secured in Austria inevitably left a little bit of a bitter style, particularly because the younger Italian completed two spots beneath his team-mate and simply behind a resurgent Max Verstappen.
“My face on the rostrum? Clearly, I wasn’t glad,” he mentioned. “It irritated me to have completed so near the highest two with out having a pair extra laps to play my playing cards. It could have been good to strive.
“However the race lasts 71 laps, and there is little to complain about. Let’s simply say I used to be a bit gutted. I additionally imagine the opening laps determined the race: if I hadn’t misplaced the place to Max, it in all probability would have been a special race.”
Now, Antonelli is in search of redemption on a monitor that, at the very least on paper, appears to completely go well with his team-mate’s traits. Greater than the house issue, what makes George Russell one of many favourites is his driving fashion, significantly efficient within the quick, lengthy‑radius corners that outline Silverstone. However Antonelli doesn’t appear to view it as a private problem.
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“I definitely do not wish to exit on monitor pondering I’ve to beat George in any respect prices,” he concluded. “As a result of with that strategy, I’d find yourself focusing solely on that objective, dropping sight of the larger image.
“Clearly, ending forward of him at his residence race can be a powerful assertion, however it’s not only a matter of nationality. On paper, this monitor ought to go well with his driving fashion very properly, though the identical was mentioned about Barcelona.
“I spent numerous time within the simulator looking for essentially the most pure strategy potential to deal with Silverstone’s quick and really lengthy corners. It’s worthwhile to be a bit gentler with the steering, and that was exactly the side I targeted on essentially the most”.
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