The Silverstone Grand Prix weekend in Great Britain began with mixed results for Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian driver from Bologna struggled to break into the top five during Friday’s practice, finishing ninth in the first session and improving only slightly to sixth in the second. The intense heat presented an unexpected obstacle for Mercedes, affecting their tire management and overall setup.
Ferrari and McLaren Show Strong Early Pace Amid Warm Weather
While Ferrari’s drivers impressed with their speed throughout practice, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton led the afternoon session, putting pressure on Mercedes’ efforts. Antonelli acknowledged the challenges posed by the unusually high temperatures at Silverstone, which made managing tire performance difficult for his team.
“Today wasn’t the easiest Friday of the year for us so far. The temperature was higher, making tire management a bit more challenging.”
—Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Driver
Looking Ahead: Antonelli and Mercedes Aim for Improvements as Weather Forecast Promises Relief
Despite Friday’s struggles, Antonelli expressed confidence in the car’s balance and overall potential, focusing on fine-tuning the W16 ahead of the upcoming sessions. He highlighted the importance of cooler track conditions in enhancing the team‘s competitiveness against Ferrari and McLaren.
“We hope the temperature drops. Tomorrow is expected to be cloudy, and the track temperature should be cooler. I don’t know by how much, but we hope to fight with Ferrari and McLaren.”
—Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Driver
Anticipation Builds for Enhanced Performance Amid Weather and Setup Adjustments
The combination of hopeful weather changes and ongoing adjustments to the Mercedes car sets the stage for a promising weekend at Silverstone. Fans and teams alike await to see if Antonelli can overcome the current challenges and mount a strong challenge against his main rivals on this iconic British circuit. The coming sessions will be critical for Mercedes as they aim to close the gap and improve their race pace.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. Antonelli began the race in ninth place. At Turn 3, he accidentally locked his Mercedes’ rear brakes and collided with Verstappen’s Red Bull. This accident forced both drivers to exit the race.
Q. Why did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. I locked the back wheels, lost control of the car, and needed to avoid Liam Lawson. By then, I was going too fast. Instead of slowing down, I accidentally sped up, which led to the crash that couldn’t be avoided.
Q. How much will Mercedes pay Kimi Antonelli?
A. Andrea Kimi Antonelli signed a one-year deal with Mercedes. In 2025, he will receive a basic salary of $2,000,000. His cap hit will match this amount. This information is based on verified reports about Formula 1 contracts.