Kimi Antonelli Blames Major Suspension Changes for Lost Development Time in F1 Rookie Season
In a stunning revelation, Mercedes F1 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli has pinpointed a drastic suspension overhaul as the critical factor that cost him “two or three months” of valuable development time during his inaugural season in Formula 1. The ambitious team made a controversial move to tweak the rear suspension geometry during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola back in May. This strategic shift aimed to address Mercedes’ persistent struggles with low-speed performance and rear tyre temperature issues, drawing inspiration from the highly successful McLaren MCL39.
However, the fallout from this decision was far from what the team had hoped. The new setup introduced significant instability at the rear of the car, creating a nightmare scenario for Antonelli. While seasoned driver George Russell managed to navigate these challenges with relative ease, the rookie found himself grappling with an uphill battle. After a promising start to the season, Antonelli’s performance plummeted as the European leg of the season began, severely denting his confidence.
Reflecting on his tumultuous experience, Antonelli candidly stated, “I think I’ve lost a good two or three months of progress.” He elaborated on his struggles, noting, “Obviously, I struggled with the rear end more than George. I struggled more to adapt, mainly to do my driving style.” This difficult period saw him driving in a tense and uncertain manner, ultimately hindering his ability to make progress on the track.
Fortunately for Antonelli, Mercedes eventually reverted to their previous suspension setup, allowing him to slowly regain his confidence and finish the season on a positive note. He expressed a sense of regret over the lost opportunities, lamenting, “If I either was able to adapt better or if either I would have gone back earlier to the suspension, probably it would have been a bit different, and I would have been able to build momentum already at the end of the European season or halfway through it.”
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, weighed in on Antonelli’s evolution as a driver, stating that the young Italian has become a more well-rounded competitor due to these challenges. Shovlin highlighted the most significant improvement in Antonelli’s performance: his ability to nail qualifying sessions. “We expected long runs to be the hardest, but he was strong there immediately,” Shovlin noted.
He continued, “Single-lap performance took more work. Learning to trust the tyres and generate temperature early was key.” Shovlin also emphasized Antonelli’s growing understanding of the weekend’s flow, praising his ability to articulate what the car is doing — a crucial skill for any driver.
As Antonelli builds his experience, he is developing a “database of cause and effect” with various setup changes. Shovlin remarked on the importance of learning how to push the car to its limits without overdoing it, pointing to Budapest as a learning moment where Antonelli “overcooked it.” As the season progressed, the young driver sometimes struggled to maintain composure during qualifying, particularly in Q3 after strong performances in Q1 and Q2.
These nuances are lessons that veteran drivers typically learn the hard way. However, Shovlin is optimistic about Antonelli’s learning curve, noting, “What’s good with Kimi is that once he learns something, it sticks. He’s not repeating the same mistakes.” With the season’s end now behind him, the Mercedes team is looking ahead, confident that Antonelli is very much on track for future success.
As the motorsport world watches closely, one thing is clear: the road ahead for Kimi Antonelli is rife with potential, and the lessons learned from this tumultuous rookie season will undoubtedly pave the way for his ascent in Formula 1.
