‘It’s been challenging’ – Kimi Antonelli still adjusting to life in Formula One

Not much is generally expected from rookies in Formula One, but most rookies don’t get their opportunity for a constructor like Mercedes.

Kimi Antonelli came into F1 as something of a wunderkind, and he paid off that instant reputation right away, getting fourth place in the season opener at Australia this year. He then finished sixth in the next two races, at China and Japan. Everything was looking up for the 18-year-old Italian who grew up in the shadow of Imola.

But then, the mistakes started piling up.

11th in Bahrain. DNF at his home race of Imola, 18th (last of those who did not finish) at Monaco. More DNFs in Spain, Austria, and Silverstone. However, he did have one shining achievement, managing to make podium with a third-place finish in Montreal.

With another iconic track upcoming at Spa in the Belgian Grand Prix, Antonelli recognizes the ups and downs of his first season in Formula One. He feels like he’s learned a lot of valuable lessons and hopes that they will lead to more consistency as the second half of the season starts this weekend.

“It’s been challenging,” Antonelli said. “I think I’ve had quite a lot — some highs and quite a few lows. I think the European season hasn’t gone very well. I think it’s gone pretty, pretty bad, pretty badly. A few mistakes on my side, and then we had a couple of issues as well. But, I think I’m still trying to learn a lot and trying to gather all the information because sometimes, especially when you have back-to-back, it’s a bit difficult to put all the information that you get over a weekend together and trying to put what you learn on track right after.

“So I think it’s been a bit challenging. Also on my side, I think qualifying has been a bit weak, but it’s more for me about trying to put all together, especially when you get to the point where you have to find the last couple of tenths. I think I’ve been not, being that good on trying to do the right step. So I think, overall it’s still been quite positive because I’ve been learning a lot and we’ve got some good results. But now the second half of the season is important to do the step and to find more consistency myself.”

One of the big adjustments for Antonelli has been just the amount of racing that takes place in Formula One. Having come from the lower levels, he raced in leagues that ranged from five to 20 races — but in Formula Three, where he had 20 races, it was actually 10 weekends, with a sprint and a grand prix in each.

Now, he’s already seen 14 races — 12 grands prix and two sprints, with one of each coming up at Spa, starting on Friday. That’s been a challenge in and of itself, getting used to a schedule that requires much more of its drivers than his previous stops.

But that’s life in the professional ranks, and Antonelli is still working out the personal kinks.

“The rhythm of this first half of the season has been quite high,” Antonelli said. “The intensity definitely has been quite high as well. So it also requires some — I had to adjust a little bit, especially after the first triple header, I had to adjust as well the way I was managing energy during those three weeks. 

“So I think overall, there’s a lot to learn on that side as well, especially on how to manage energy the best way as possible in order to have the most amount for when I go back in the car. And this means also taking time for myself and trying to, overall taking time for myself in order to recharge and be able to be focused, especially on the mental side. So I think there’s a lot of learning to do on that side as well, but definitely I have a much clearer vision and ideas going into this second half of the season.”

Practice at Spa is set for one session on Friday before sprint race qualifying later in the day. The sprint and qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, with the race proper set for Sunday.