F1 | Gaming passion gives Andrea Kimi Antonelli an edge at Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has an advantage over his rivals, and Andrew Shovlin is certain of it: Mercedes can count on the young driver’s passion for video games. The Mercedes team has a secret weapon in its hands: Kimi Antonelli’s dedication to sim racing. The new generation of drivers grows up immersed in virtual racing, spending hours in front of screens, fully engaged in virtual reality. This habit seamlessly translates into real work, as teams easily convince young drivers to sit in the simulator for hours, gathering critical data about the car.
Years pass, technology evolves, and the technical priorities of teams change. In the past, cars had to be taken to the track and driven to collect the driver’s feedback and crucial development data. Today, much of this work happens in the simulator. Of course, real-world driving is always preferable to virtual testing. Engineers would much rather return to traditional free practice sessions, but the financial and operational demands of modern Formula 1 require a different approach.
Opinions about simulator work are mixed, even among drivers. Some disdain it, gladly leaving the wheel to reserve drivers. Others embrace it, finding in the factory not only a virtual version of their own car but probably the most realistic racing game imaginable. This advantage is especially significant for the new generation, raised in the world of sim racing and highly comfortable with hours of virtual practice.
Shovlin: “Antonelli has a special skill”
Supporting this theory is Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ track engineering director. Talking about Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s development, he highlights one particular detail: “He is settling in very well with the team. He is relaxed about his performance, and we are excited to see how he progresses.”
“Adaptation to the regulations will depend largely on practice. Kimi, being very young, has a rather impressive ability to spend an entire day in the simulator driving. I think all the younger drivers who grew up playing video games develop that extra mental capacity, which allows them to drive while talking, joking, and teasing everyone else who is competing with them,” Shovlin explained.
“It helps tremendously to have this cognitive awareness, which allows you to think while driving, making the act of driving almost secondary. It frees the mind to focus on energy management, strategy, and overtaking opportunities. He enjoys driving in the simulator and puts in all the necessary hours: this is undoubtedly the most important aspect,” he added.
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