Kimi Antonelli appeared visibly emotional during his post-qualifying interviews at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, with eyes full of tears after a difficult session. The young Italian driver also revealed Mercedes’ contingency plan in case of rain during Sunday’s race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The challenging run continues for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who, just like Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, was eliminated in Q1 during the qualifying session at Spa. The 17-year-old from Bologna faced yet another disappointing moment in what has been a difficult European leg of his rookie Formula 1 season.
Kimi Antonelli will start Sunday’s Grand Prix from 18th position on the grid, and under such circumstances, a change in weather conditions could prove to be a valuable ally. With rain expected in the Ardennes region, Mercedes is reportedly considering a change in setup, potentially opting to start from the pit lane to take advantage of a wet setup.
Kimi Antonelli’s emotional reaction after qualifying at Spa
Following the end of the qualifying session, Andrea Kimi Antonelli appeared at the media pen with tears in his eyes, clearly affected by the result. He openly expressed his disappointment and the internal struggles he is facing at this stage of the season.
“I lacked confidence today,” said the Italian rookie. “I’m not going through a happy moment right now, and I’ve been struggling to find trust in the car ever since the start of the European part of the season. I feel like I’ve taken a step back, and I’m driving in a way that doesn’t help me at all.”
Antonelli also compared his driving style with that of his more experienced teammate George Russell, explaining how their different approaches affect performance. “Compared to George, I’m a bit more aggressive, and that’s creating problems for me, especially with car balance in the corners.”
Despite the disappointment, the young Mercedes driver remains determined to push forward. “I need to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but I’m okay,” he added with a sense of resilience, despite the clear signs of frustration.
Mercedes ready to change setup and start from pit lane
Andrea Kimi Antonelli went on to explain the potential strategic approach Mercedes is considering in case of rain. Starting from the pit lane would allow the team to change the car’s setup and potentially benefit from unpredictable weather conditions.
“The team is helping me as much as they possibly can,” said Antonelli. “We’re going to change the car, and we’ll start from the pit lane. Hopefully, that could turn out to be an advantage for us if the rain arrives.”
With the Spa-Francorchamps circuit notoriously known for sudden changes in weather, a bold setup change combined with a pit lane start could provide a tactical edge for the Brackley-based team. The rain might offer Antonelli a chance for redemption in what has so far been a challenging Grand Prix weekend.
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