Mercedes Plans Calmer FP1 Strategy with Antonelli

Mercedes F1 strategizes with Antonelli for a more measured approach in upcoming FP1 sessions.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli made a notable Formula 1 debut at Monza, with his first practice session cut short by an off-track excursion at the Curva Alboreto. Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes F1’s trackside engineering director, acknowledges the setback but assures that the Italian will return to the cockpit when the timing is right.

“It’s a bit unfortunate he had that incident at the Parabolica,” admits Shovlin. “The pace was definitely there; we’ll discuss with him about preparing a bit more cautiously in the future and how to approach the race weekend, but yes, we are looking forward to getting him back in the car.”

“We’ll choose the right circuit for that. With many Sprint races coming up, you wouldn’t want a driver to miss their only free practice session during a Sprint race, so the choice is limited, but yes, he’ll be back and we are eager to see it.”

Monza’s accident obviously does not alter the young driver’s program, who will be a full-time driver next year and will still have sessions driving a 2022 car (TPC for Test of Previous Cars) and a free practice at a Grand Prix.

“Yes, there will be more TPCs and more FP1 sessions, because the regulations require that our two race drivers give up their spot for a Friday practice session. Since Kimi is our driver for next year, we will of course use him.”

“Clearly, he hasn’t covered as many kilometers as we hoped, but we have been working and continue to work with some of our previous cars to give Kimi the opportunity to experience the car and the tires on different circuits, and that will continue.”