Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli finally found his confidence around the Suzuka International Circuit after he qualified P6 at the F1 Japanese GP.
After a positive Friday for his teammate, George Russell, the young Italian evidently struggled to find confidence and momentum in the car. Finishing behind Russell in all three practices, Antonelli knew he had to make progress to have a better Saturday. He was over a second off in FP3.
Speaking in the print media zone following the end of qualifying, the Italian was satisfied with his performance but admitted he had hoped for more, given the confidence he had built throughout each session.
“Yeah, happy with how the session went, but on the other side disappointed because I had to make such a step in driving from free practices. I was very lost in practice, I really had no confidence to push more and to progress.”
The rookie felt lost after FP1. Antonelli explained he lacked self-belief as he took it “step by step” to achieve what he did today.
“And I was kind of stuck from where I finished in FP1. So I had to qualify with very little confidence and having to make a really big step in driving. So overall I was getting there step by step, but yeah, definitely it’s a good lesson ahead of the next race.”
Content with fully maximising his performance
Ahead of the weekend, the 18-year-old was one of several rookies who had no experience around the track. Antonelli explained the challenges of the Japanese GP that crucially combine knowledge and experience to nail the perfect lap around the Suzuka International Circuit.
“I mean, the thing is, it’s definitely a really fast track. It’s not easy as well, first sector especially, because it’s quite narrow. But you need to get the timing right with all the turning points.
However, the Italian was torn on his approach heading into qualifying but did not regret opting for a safer set-up to boost his confidence.
“But as well, I think also with the set-up we started quite safe, because I didn’t have confidence, so I needed to get confidence. But then as the track was improving and cooling down, I didn’t really have the courage as well to push the set-up even further.
“So also that is something that I learned for next qualifying. But overall I’m happy with it, because I felt like I maximised the result.”
Staying realistic with his expectations for himself
After finishing P9 in FP1, P16 in FP2 and P13 in FP3, Antonelli opened about how he struggled mentally to refine and advance his driving whilst staying realistic with himself, as it was the rookie’s first time around the track. The Italian discussed how he regained focus and set expectations for himself before qualifying.
“Mentally it was really tough, because when you’re kind of stuck there and you see that you really struggle to make steps, mentally it’s difficult, especially because you see that you have to make such a step in all the sectors.
“Every corner you have to make a massive step in driving. So it does take, I really digged deep and really try to focus on what I have to do well. Eventually it was a decent lap, of course far from perfect, but I cannot complain about it either.”
Reviewing and guidance from team led to positive steps forward
Before being promoted to F1, the 18-year-old had been part of the Mercedes family since he was 12 and is no stranger to how the team works. When asked about what he benefited from to build his confidence, Antonelli credited the support of his race engineer, Peter Bonnington, and Russell. The Italian emphasised the importance of learning from his experience for the future.
“It was a mix of everything. What I really like to do is rewatch my lap, because I can see where maybe I do a wrong line or where I could have done better. But of course I was getting there, step by step.
“Also I think using two sets in Q1 didn’t really help, but that was on me because I didn’t do a good enough lap at the start. Because I think with two sets in Q3 it could have helped me as well to make a further step.
“It was not massively different, but definitely it was more safe, because as I said before I had no confidence.”
The 18-year-old’s maturity levels showed as he was quick to take accountability again for choosing to opt for a safer approach.
“So definitely it was more on the safe side, but definitely at the end of the quali it was a bit too safe. But that’s not on the team, it was my decision. Because I was feeling good with it, I was getting the confidence back. But definitely in that last lap I had decent confidence. I probably could have asked the team to push the setup a bit more on the edge.”
Tenacity and mental strength as a rookie
When asked if Suzuka was the hardest challenge of his career so far, Antonelli was quick to mention Melbourne. Antonelli was one of two rookies who survived the treacherous conditions, where he finished in an impressive P4 on debut. He viewed the challenging season-opener as a “big test” mentally and was impressed with the way he carried himself.
“Melbourne was a really big test, the race, but I think on the mental side this was a good test as well. Because when you’re so far off in three practises, not one free practice, all of them, it’s really hard mentally.
“Especially when you go into qualifying and you’re uncertain of what you can achieve as a result. So it was a really good test mentally, and I was happy with how I reacted to it.”
Preparation for another chaotic race
With the forecast looking to mirror similar conditions drivers faced in Melbourne, Antonelli says a lot of preparation is needed to be done tonight for tomorrow. The Italian added if opportunities arise to capitalise on any mishaps that could unfold further up the grid, he will be ready.
“Yeah, I mean, we’ll see what’s the weather like tomorrow, because it looks a bit uncertain. I wouldn’t mind some rain, maybe a bit of chaos at the front, but we’ll see. We’ll see tomorrow, I think we’ll see in the moment. But yeah, a lot of data to look at overnight, in order to be ready for tomorrow.”
It is a Silver Arrows lockout on the third row tomorrow. Antonelli lines up alongside Russell in P5 and P6 respectively for the F1 Japanese GP.
