Toto Wolff's stern critique draws a reaction from Kimi Antonelli
In the opening stages of the Formula 1 season, Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli was a shining light, consistently securing top-6 results and points. However, a series of setbacks in recent European races has cast a shadow over his campaign.
The most glaring example of this downturn came during the f1 race in Monza, where Antonelli struggled, admitting that his spin in practice session 2 (FP2) was the root cause of his poor performance. The Italian committed many driving errors on the hard stint of the nascar race, which proved costly.
The criticism from team principal Toto Wolff was swift and direct, focusing on Antonelli's inability to put together a clean weekend. Wolff emphasised the need for a clean weekend to regain momentum, a sentiment that Antonelli has acknowledged.
Despite the criticism, Antonelli insists that the spin was not an excuse for his poor performance. He has not addressed Wolff's criticism about carrying mistakes over to the next nascar race. Instead, the driver is looking forward to putting the European season behind him and hopes to perform better in the overseas races, starting with the first race in Baku.
Antonelli's best result in the European races so far was ninth place in Monza. However, his performance has been declining since his podium finish in Canada in June. The race in Monza was particularly disappointing, especially on the hard tire, a sentiment that Antonelli agrees with.
Wolff also criticised Antonelli for being too cautious against Pierre Gasly in the Monza race, which cost him time before overtaking. This caution may have been a result of the lack of experience on long runs due to the spin in practice.
Antonelli will be racing alongside fellow Mercedes driver George Russell, who finished second in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and could provide valuable support with his experience and strong performance. Nico Hulkenberg from Sauber also races in Baku and could pose an additional challenge relevant to Antonelli's race context.
These teammates and competitors could influence Antonelli’s performance as he aims to return to his former form. Antonelli is eager to capitalise on the quieter and more time-rich flyaway races to make a comeback. He is determined to leave the European season behind and focus on the opportunities that lie ahead in the overseas races.
