Kimi Antonelli has admitted to overdriving his car during the ongoing weekend in Barcelona. Despite this, he secured third place in the Qualifying session. This marks the first time this season the 19-year-old will not start from the front row.
Kimi Antonelli’s Qualifying Experience in Barcelona
Antonelli has maintained a significant lead in the World Championship standings, ahead by 66 points. However, on Saturday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, it was his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, who clinched pole position, followed closely by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Challenges Faced During the Weekend
Reflecting on the Qualifying session, Antonelli expressed discomfort with the car’s performance throughout the weekend. Missing the first practice session (FP1) added to his challenges, as reserve driver Fred Vesti took over driving duties.
- Issues Faced:
- Missing FP1
- Traffic impacting FP3
- Struggles with car control
The young driver noted, “I didn’t have enough pace over a single lap.” He recognized that he was struggling to maximize the car’s performance, attributing this to tricky and slippery track conditions. He added that the hot weather had caused his tires to lose grip.
Looking Ahead to the Race
With an eye on the Sunday race, Antonelli feels hopeful despite the challenges. He understands the importance of a strong start due to the long run to Turn 1.
- Key Race Strategies:
- Achieve a good start
- Manage tire performance due to high temperatures
- Optimize race pace from previous practice sessions
“I think race pace was good in FP2,” he noted, expressing confidence in improving his performance during the race. Antonelli remains focused on making the most of his third-place starting position.
