Mercedes’ Italian talent Kimi Antonelli will start sixth at the Spanish GP after delivering a solid qualifying performance in Barcelona. The young Italian driver responded positively following two tough weekends in Imola and Monaco, getting his car into Q3 and placing himself between the two Ferrari drivers.
His teammate George Russell once again outqualified him on a single lap, but Kimi Antonelli showed signs of progress. He explained to the media that it wasn’t an easy session and that it took him some time to find his rhythm. He had to manage his tires carefully, using an extra set throughout Q1, leaving him with only one new set for Q3.
This made the crucial attempt difficult: the grip difference between the first and second runs was significant. He felt he gave up a bit of speed on track but believed his overall lap was good. Antonelli expressed satisfaction with making it into Q3 and finishing sixth.
Ambitious goals for Kimi
The young Mercedes driver acknowledged that his target remains ambitious: he wants to finish higher and better but considers sixth place a solid recovery after two difficult weekends. His focus now shifts to the race, intending to maximize his qualifying effort.
Kimi Antonelli’s view on updates and technical directive
Kimi Antonelli discussed Mercedes’ technical updates and the directive introduced in Barcelona. He admitted it altered the car’s behavior but not drastically. He said the new directive made it somewhat harder to find the right balance with the car but overall, it did not really affect performance.
He concluded by commenting on his feeling behind the wheel, stating that while the updates weren’t a big upgrade, the sensations were definitely positive.
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