Despite the mayhem that defined the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, the debut of Kimi Antonelli should not be overlooked. The highly anticipated rookie’s first outing was far from perfect, given the challenging weather patterns over the weekend – a hot Friday, scorching Saturday, and a cold, rainy Sunday. These fluctuating conditions proved to be a trial by fire for the newcomers.
Antonelli’s debut did have its setbacks. He sustained floor damage during qualifying after hitting the kerbs, missing a Q2 position by a mere 0.09 seconds. However, Sunday’s rain forecast hinted at opportunities for redemption. As fellow rookies – Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Liam Lawson – one by one succumbed to the race, only Antonelli and his former Formula 2 teammate, Ollie Bearman, remained.
Bearman’s performance was subpar, marked by two crashes, though he managed to finish the race in the 14th spot. Antonelli, on the other hand, executed an almost immaculate race, save for a single spin, and made an impressive charge to finish fourth. This, however, was later revised to fifth due to a Mercedes team mistake in the pit stop.
Reflecting on his debut, Antonelli said, “We faced the worst possible conditions for our first race, ranging from wet, slicks on damp, slicks on wet, and then back to wet again. Although I did make a few mistakes, particularly the spin, the conditions were extremely tough. Despite this, I am very happy with my performance.”
He admitted that he did not make the strategic decisions during the race. He wanted to stick with slicks for another lap when the rain began in the late stages of the race, as it was only wet in the third sector. However, he was relieved that Mercedes chose to play it safe. Had it not been for a five-second penalty due to an unsafe pit release, Antonelli would have secured fourth place behind his teammate George Russell. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff questioned the justification of the penalty.
“I was not aware of the penalty. All I knew was that the team instructed me to keep pushing till the last lap. It’s unfortunate, but I have no complaints. I feel fortunate to have recovered from the spin,” Antonelli added.
Taking into account the challenging circumstances, Antonelli’s performance at the Australian Grand Prix was stellar, especially considering it was his debut. Mercedes was not surprised by his exceptional performance, with Wolff stating that they “always recognized Antonelli’s potential and his ability to deliver under pressure.”
Antonelli’s ability to excel in wet conditions comes as no surprise. His maiden Mercedes F1 test in Austria put him on the spotlight, and his performance in the rain was particularly noted. Moreover, his maturity and humility, which were evident during his April 2024 run, were equally impressive. His victory at the 2024 F2 sprint race at Silverstone, despite the harsh conditions, further underscores his tenacity.
In conclusion, Antonelli’s outstanding performance in his first Mercedes F1 race was perhaps not as unexpected as it seemed, given his track record. However, the speed at which he has adapted to the pinnacle of motor racing is impressive.