As the races progress, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s experience and confidence continue to grow, improving race after race. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that in Bahrain, a track he knows from Formula 2 and various tests, he delivered his best qualifying performance. In Q3, the Italian set the fourth-fastest time, but was just penalized by one position for leaving the box earlier than the restart time indicated in Q2. Mercedes explained that they didn’t gain any advantage, but the FIA didn’t make any exceptions (rightfully so).
Speaking to Sky Sport, the young driver smiled as he discussed his result but remained firmly grounded: “I felt much better this weekend, the conditions were different compared to the tests, and I had to adapt. I was comfortable with the car, I could push as I wanted, and now I just need to put everything together. The confidence is there and continues to grow, but there are still things I need to learn, like how to better manage the tires in these conditions. The last lap wasn’t perfect, I left something on the table, but we’re on the right path.” – the Italian driver concluded at the end of the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held at the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Saturday.
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