In a revealing admission, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has acknowledged that the ongoing struggles of rookie driver Kimi Antonelli are partly due to a “confusing” W16 car. The team is determined to provide Antonelli with the support he needs as he navigates a challenging transition into the world of Formula 1. The young Italian’s recent performance, culminating in a disappointing showing at the Italian Grand Prix, has raised eyebrows and intensified scrutiny on the talented newcomer.
Shovlin candidly stated that a suspension modification introduced earlier in the season negatively impacted the driveability of the W16, contributing to Antonelli’s difficulties behind the wheel. “We’re confident [the suspension change] was making the car difficult to drive and it was adding performance at very specific circuits like Montreal, but it was causing more problems than it solved at tracks like Austria, Silverstone,” he explained. This decision, now reversed, aims to alleviate some of the pressure on the young driver, who has been grappling with the complexities of a high-stakes environment.
The initial promise of the season has dimmed, as Antonelli faces a tighter competition grid where even minor mistakes can have significant consequences. Shovlin acknowledged the harsh realities of qualifying in today’s competitive landscape, remarking, “Qualifying is a pretty cruel and unforgiving session these days.” He elaborated on how lost practice time, due to errors like running into gravel traps, has hampered Antonelli’s ability to find his rhythm.
Mercedes recognizes the weight of expectations placed on Antonelli, particularly when the pressure to advance beyond Q1 and Q2 is palpable. “There’s a lot more pressure when it’s difficult to get out of Q1 even, very difficult to get out of Q2, and then you’ve got to have tyres left for Q3,” Shovlin noted, underscoring the challenges that accompany the rookie’s learning curve.
The pressure was particularly palpable leading up to the Zandvoort race, where Antonelli faced additional hurdles. Shovlin pointed out that the team’s inability to conduct a thorough simulator session prior to the event played a role in the rookie’s struggles, culminating in an unfortunate error during FP1. “I think we need to own a bit of that responsibility and that we couldn’t do the normal prep,” he admitted.
In an effort to turn the tide, Mercedes is ramping up its preparations for Antonelli, having recently implemented an intensive training plan ahead of the Baku race. Shovlin emphasized the team’s unwavering faith in their rookie, stating, “He’s shown us enough in the early part of the season to confirm our expectations that he had the talent to be in F1 and be with Mercedes.”
With a commitment to continual improvement and adaptation, Mercedes is dedicated to refining their approach as they prepare for the remaining races of the season. “We’ve upped the amount of preparation that we’re doing. Recently – we’re trying different things in terms of getting ready for the race weekends, going into these remaining races,” Shovlin concluded, affirming the team’s resolve to help Antonelli find his footing in a sport that demands both skill and resilience.
