After a difficult few weeks, Mercedes talent Kimi Antonelli will be given more time: Andrew Shovlin explains the background and the plan
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has confirmed that a chassis setup change during the season caused problems for rookie Kimi Antonelli. The adjustment made the W16 more difficult to drive: “We are convinced that the change made the car more difficult to drive,” said the Briton.
“It delivered performance at certain tracks, such as Montreal, but at places like Austria and Silverstone, it caused more problems than it solved.” This was “confusing” for a young driver in particular. The solution: the update was removed again—a measure that should help both drivers.
High pressure in qualifying and practice
Shovlin also analyzes the Italian’s recent difficulties. After a strong start to the season, Antonelli has recently lost consistency. One reason for this is the crowded field, where small mistakes have a big impact: “Qualifying is merciless these days. Even tiny mistakes decide whether you make it through Q1, Q2, or Q3.”
Added to this were practice mistakes that cost valuable track time: “He ended up in the gravel trap once or twice and lost preparation time as a result.” The Zandvoort weekend also proved problematic: simulator issues prevented normal preparation, and in FT1 the rookie slid into the gravel trap – a vicious circle, as Shovlin admits: “We also have to take responsibility here because the usual preparation was lacking.”
More preparation, clear confidence
To get Antonelli back on track, Mercedes has adjusted its procedures. Before Baku, he completed a particularly intensive day of testing with up to three race distances to build up his routine. “We’ve increased the preparation, trying different things to get him ready for the weekends in the best possible way,” said Shovlin.
Despite the setbacks, the team’s support remains unbroken: “He showed us enough at the start of the season to confirm our expectations: Kimi has the talent to succeed in Formula 1 and at Mercedes.” The goal now is to gradually restore the rookie’s confidence: “We will review and adjust the process until it fits.”
