Mercedes searching for answers after Kimi Antonelli’s pace fell off in F1 Dutch GP
Mercedes has launched a “deep dive” into Kimi Antonelli’s performance at the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix after the championship leader revealed he had a “difficult second half” of the race as he struggled with the balance of his W17. Antonelli had a strong start to the grand prix. After qualifying third, he jumped team-mate George Russell off the line to secure second place before the ... Keep…
Kimi Antonelli faces increased pressure as his Formula 1 rivals narrow the gap. Despite leading the championship with a 59-point advantage, the Italian driver's Mercedes team faces challenges against McLaren's resurgence. Antonelli, 20, has won six races this season but was beaten to second place by Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, in Hungary and the Netherlands.
Mercedes acknowledges their car is out of sync with upgrades, and McLaren appears to have gained a significant edge. Antonelli expressed frustration with the car's handling and strategy during recent races, stating that the team needs to find time to address McLaren's improvements. While acknowledging the team's order to let Norris pass, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff defended the decision, arguing that not swapping positions would have left both drivers vulnerable to a strong Ferrari challenge.
Despite the setback, Antonelli remains optimistic, believing the grid penalty for Monza still offers a chance to secure a strong result and championship points.
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