The Italian Grand Prix weekend has taken a disappointing turn for Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as he found himself once again in a precarious situation, echoing the misfortunes of his Formula 1 debut. During the second practice session at the iconic Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Antonelli caused the first red flag after beaching his W16 in the gravel, an incident reminiscent of his previous challenges on this very track.
The 19-year-old Italian driver, whose 2025 contract with Mercedes was revealed just last weekend, faced an uphill battle as he returned to a venue that holds both cherished and painful memories. Just a year ago, he crashed while testing George Russell’s car during practice, and history seems to be repeating itself. This latest mishap unfolded after he lost control at the two Lesmos, sending him skidding into the gravel and bringing his session to an abrupt halt.
Despite the setback, Antonelli reassured his team that he was unharmed. However, the need for assistance to extract his car meant his practice session was officially over. In a press conference on Thursday, the young driver reflected on his complex relationship with Monza. “Yeah, it happened a lot of things,” he remarked, capturing the emotional weight of the weekend. “I have good memories, but also really bad memories here, but it’s a really special place and I think it’s going to be a special weekend because it’s not just my second home race, but obviously, as you said, this is where it all started with the announcement.”
Looking ahead, Antonelli expressed cautious optimism about the weekend. “It’s always tough to say because the cars now are getting closer and closer, but last year the car was actually, looking at the result, especially in qualifying, they were up there,” he said. He noted the trend that where the Mercedes was competitive last season, it has remained strong this year, fueling hopes for a better outcome.
As the excitement builds around the Italian Grand Prix, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Antonelli can overcome his early struggles and harness the potential of his Mercedes to deliver a standout performance. The stakes are high, and with the pressure mounting, it will be fascinating to see how this young talent navigates the challenges ahead.
