Mercedes driver, Kimi Antonelli, suffered a heartbreaking DNF during his first home race as an F1 driver at the Imola GP. The excitement ended prematurely for the rookie when he was forced to retire on lap 46 of 63. He parked the car on the side as he experienced a throttle issue.
Antonelli admits to not managing his energy well
Antonelli was asked about what he learned from Imola. The 18-year old revealed that it was a mentally intense weekend, which made it difficult to manage energy wise.
“It was a very intense weekend, especially mentally, it was very intense and was very demanding. I think on my side, obviously first home race and lots going on. I think I didn’t manage the best on my side, especially energy wise. I feel like I didn’t do a good enough job and I could feel it when then going in the car. I definitely could feel mentally, I was not as present as I usually was and I wasn’t as focused.”
The Italian continued on to candidly explain that the lack of focus led to a disappointing result, stating:
“But it’s not because I was thinking about anything else, it was just when you’re a bit mentally tired it’s also hard to keep the focus. So definitely, I feel on that side I didn’t manage myself, my energy, super well. I couldn’t also perform on track like I wanted, so obviously a very disappointing weekend on my side.”
As it is Antonelli’s first season as an F1 driver, it is understandable that not everything always goes to plan. It takes time to adjust to each new situation. However, it is positive that he looks at a rough situation as a learning experience, instead of a punishment. The young talent has impressed with his performance throughout the season.
Planning ahead for Monza
There are still a couple of races to go before the next Italian race. The he rookie looks back at Imola as a lesson to help him prepare for the next race. His next home race will be Monza at the beginning of September.
“So obviously not ideal, but it was a big lesson. A big lesson learned especially ahead of the next home race, which is going to be Monza, but ahead of the next races in general. So definitely I also had some time off just to reset a little bit and to recharge ahead of this weekend because I think it’s important to bounce back.”
Furthermore, Antonelli expressed that it was not his approach to driving that impacted him. Rather it was the noise from the outside. When asked what he could go about differently ahead of other races to stay focused, he responded:
“I think in Imola there was nothing wrong with the approach, I think it was more about outside of driving that I didn’t manage well. And I think when you go in the car not with the right focus and also when you spend a bit of energy and you’re not able to prepare well the session, then you feel it when you go in the car. Driving an F1 car requires 100% of the focus and commitment and even if you’re at 97%, it’s little but it makes such a huge difference. Especially nowadays when the gaps are super close between every car and driver.”
The young Italian appeared to put a lot of extra pressure on himself and constantly push to improve.
Antonelli improving his schedule ahead of races
Additionally, the rookie candidly expressed where his energy went and why he felt a lack of focus during the weekend. When asked about his schedule and if the team decided it ahead of Imola, the Mercedes driver explained:
“I think it was not really about sponsors, activities, of course I was well aware before starting the weekend it would be busier than usual. But I think on my side, what I mean is spending a lot of time with some other people. You know, not my engineer but I’m talking about maybe friends also people that were attending the race that were our guests. What I mean that I didn’t manage well was that. So spending too much energy on that and not having enough energy left for the driving, which obviously was the most important bit. So I think it was not really about team activities, but was about more on myself, how I managed.”
He continued on to to express:
“But at the same time, I realized too late into the weekend that I was wasting too much energy on that side and not having enough energy left for the important bit.”
Hopefully, Antonelli will be able to save his energy for the track in Monza. Perhaps, he will have a stronger weekend during his next home race. Based on his impressive performance this far, there is no doubt that the rookie will bounce back even stronger.
