Andrea Kimi Antonelli says a breakthrough check at Spa-Francorchamps was key to convincing Mercedes he had overcome a key weak spot and deserved an F1 race seat.
The younger Italian had lengthy been within the body to change into Lewis Hamilton’s substitute at Mercedes for 2025, however early testing in an outdated F1 automotive had uncovered some parts he wanted to enhance on.
For whereas there was little doubt about his uncooked velocity and talent to ship quick particular person laps, he was nonetheless missing early on when it got here to displaying consistency over race-distance runs.
However he says {that a} step change on that entrance was made throughout a put up Belgian Grand Prix check earlier than the summer season break, and that proved sufficient for Mercedes to decide to him for subsequent 12 months.
Reflecting on his testing progress in a 2022 automotive throughout an look at “Il Competition dello Sport” organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Antonelli singled out the Spa run as important.
“Through the TPC [testing of previous cars] assessments, one factor that impressed them was how rapidly I acquired to the restrict and the way rapidly I acquired to the goal lap instances that Mercedes needed,” he stated.
“However I’ve to say that the issue on which I struggled probably the most throughout testing was the race tempo.
“Nevertheless, within the final two days of testing at Spa, I improved the race tempo significantly, and that pushed Mercedes to signal me.
“Till that second, that they had an concept that they needed to place me within the Mercedes automotive in 2025, however first they needed to see if I may enhance these weaknesses I had.
“Through the Spa assessments, I made step ahead and that satisfied Mercedes.
“In actual fact, earlier than the summer season break, I had a name with [Toto] Wolff, my engineer and different folks from Mercedes. It was there they informed me that I might be one in every of their drivers in 2025. It was second.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 W15, crashes out in FP1
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
Whereas Mercedes is taking part in down expectations for Antonelli, particularly after his first FP1 run at Monza ended with a crash after simply ten minutes, he’s fairly bold when it comes to what he needs to ship.
In actual fact, Antonelli says that the goal is to change into a race winner in his rookie F1 season.
“I really feel prepared for F1,” he defined. “When it comes to velocity, I believe it will not be an issue. The one factor the place there can be plenty of work to do is about easy methods to handle the weekend in the absolute best method and likewise to be taught all of the procedures. So, there can be plenty of issues to be taught.
“Positively profitable some races [next year] could be a dream. It will not be straightforward, as a result of all of the groups can have a aggressive automotive, so it is going to be very tough, however that is the goal.
“Some podiums would even be good, however the primary purpose is to convey residence some wins.”
House steering wheel and simulator
Antonelli additionally supplied some perception into how Mercedes helps put together him for the challenges of an F1 weekend – by means of a combination of overloading with info in testing, plus getting a home-sim rig set-up.
“Will probably be essential to be taught to not lose focus when somebody is speaking to you from the pits, as a result of they’re doing it to provide you helpful info,” he stated.
“In testing they’re speaking to me an increasing number of, as a result of in F1 it’s essential to be taught the procedures. So once they ask you for a change, it’s a must to know what button it’s a must to contact on the steering wheel and what it does.
“These are all issues I am studying and getting used to, so I am additionally doing the assessments not solely to enhance as a driver, but additionally to be taught the procedures and get used to having an individual on the radio speaking to you continually.
“Mercedes goes to ship me a steering wheel and a small simulator at residence to learn to do the race begins, so I will observe.
“The steering wheel is the Method 1 steering wheel, so it’s going to assist me memorise the buttons as properly. At excessive speeds you do not have time to take a look at the steering wheel. It’s a must to realize it by coronary heart.”
Extra reporting by Gianluca D’Alessandro
