Mercedes acknowledges errors in the development of its Formula 1 car, and the young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli is suffering the consequences, according to technical director James Allison. Antonelli, 18 years old, achieved his first podium in Canada in June, but has not scored points since then. He has had two retirements since Montreal, as well as a 17th place in a sprint race in Belgium and a 16th in the main Grand Prix. The Italian, who secured a pole position in Miami and is the youngest race leader in the history of the sport, has retired four times in the last seven races and admitted in Belgium that he lacks confidence in the car and is not driving as he would like.
I think he, like the rest of us, is very fed up with a series of results that are well below what we were achieving collectively at the beginning of the year.
James Allison
Kimi Antonelli has struggled with his performance at Mercedes.
Allison added that he hopes Antonelli will be comforted by the fact that the team has taken incorrect measures with the car, which affects his competitiveness and that of George Russell. According to Allison, it is evident that the car needs to improve, and Antonelli’s situation will improve when that happens. Mercedes is in third place in the overall standings, 28 points behind Ferrari, which is in second place. Russell has achieved a victory in Canada, has been on the podium five times and is fourth overall with 157 points, while Antonelli has 63.- Antonelli admits his performance has taken a “step back”
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