Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says Kimi Antonelli is ‘learning Formula 1 the hard way’, following the youngster’s sizeable crash in Free Practice 3 at the Australian Grand Prix.
Antonelli went off at the end of the final practice session at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit, losing control on the Turn 2 kerb and destroying both the front and rear ends of his W17.
Advertisement
His mechanics managed to repair his Silver Arrow in just two hours ahead of the qualifying session, with Antonelli praising them as “heroes”; he went on to qualify in – and race to – second place, though this wasn’t as straightforward as it sounds.
Antonelli lacked energy deployment at the start and dropped to seventh position, so he had to overtake Lando Norris, Arvid Lindblad (twice) and Isack Hadjar as he fought back to fourth; Ferrari not pitting under the virtual safety car then comfortably promoted the sophomore to second when the Scuderia finally called its cars in.
Read Also:
Advertisement
Why Ferrari didn’t pit under VSC in F1 Australian GP
“He’s literally learning it the hard way, which makes him stronger,” Wolff commented after the race. “He was very, very strong on Friday and his pace on Saturday was there. But then the accident happened, and that can happen.
“And I think it’s a miracle that the mechanics were able to put the car back on track for qualifying. And you can see that it’s just a very solid base of a car and that there wasn’t any set-up on it. He was able to qualify so well and then execute in the race.
Advertisement
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“Both cars have been harmed to a certain degree with the battery. That contributed also to that starting performance.
“And at the end, it’s a very good second place. He was very fast at the end. He had the pace and there’s more to be expected. And he will expect more from him and we will expect more performance from the car and getting rid of those gremlins. And then having the two race each other fair and square, hopefully with some of the other cars.”
Advertisement
Remarkably, Antonelli still finished just three seconds behind his race-winning team-mate George Russell.
Asked in the post-race press conference if he always was confident he could fight his way back to the front, the 19-year-old Italian replied: “Well, I didn’t really know, to be fair, but obviously the pace of the car was very strong and the pace was strong too. I felt very, very good in the first stint. Then on the hards, I started to grain very early on and had a bit of a difficult time, but then at the end the pace came back.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“But of course, the start was a game changer. It obviously was very stressful because I didn’t have power out of the last corner, so the car was not responding to any inputs and it was very stressful, and then the start was poor, very poor, and I just lost a lot of places and found myself having to chase.
Advertisement
“But the car was very strong. It was good fun at the end, and yeah, the team did an incredible job because I think the result of today was thanks as well, you know, mainly to the mechanics for the incredible job they did yesterday after FP3. So yeah, definitely it was a good end of the weekend and now we will focus on China.”
Additional reporting by Ronald Vording
Photos from Australian GP – SundayLewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Advertisement
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Entertainers
Entertainers
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Zak Brown, McLaren
Zak Brown, McLaren
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Advertisement
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Jayce Illman / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
The 2026 F1 drivers photo
The 2026 F1 drivers photo
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Anni Graf – Formula 1 via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Anni Graf – Formula 1 via Getty Images
Sam Brabham drives a Brabham BT-19 on track
Sam Brabham drives a Brabham BT-19 on track
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Advertisement
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Sam Brabham drives a Brabham BT-19 on track
Sam Brabham drives a Brabham BT-19 on track
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Anni Graf – Formula 1 via Getty Images
Advertisement
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Dom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Peter Fox / Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Peter Fox / Getty Images
Advertisement
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Dom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Advertisement
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
Peter Fox / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
Advertisement
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Peter Fox / Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
William West / AFP via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Advertisement
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Peter Fox / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
William West / AFP via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
William West / AFP via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Dom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Advertisement
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Anni Graf – Formula 1 via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Lars Baron / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Anni Graf – Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Advertisement
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
William West / AFP via Getty Images
Advertisement
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Dom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Advertisement
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Dom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Anni Graf – Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Joe Portlock / Getty Images
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.