Rain - Spins & P5: Antonelli’s Rollercoaster F1 Debut

In a dramatic Australian GP, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered a masterful drive from P16 to P5 despite tricky conditions.

Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli made an impressive debut in Formula 1, securing a strong fifth-place finish in a rain-affected Australian Grand Prix. Starting from 16th on the grid, the young Italian navigated the tricky conditions with composure, avoiding major incidents to claim a solid result.

“It was a really intense race. We had every possible weather condition on track, which made my debut quite challenging, but I’m really happy with the outcome,” Antonelli shared after the race. The Mercedes rookie had a close call with an off-track excursion, but he managed to recover without any major consequences.

“The team did an amazing job. I made a few mistakes that cost me time, especially the spin, but overall, I’m really happy. The team guided me well throughout the race, and I can’t wait for the next one in China.”

At just 17, Antonelli is already the third-youngest driver in F1 history. Reflecting on his first weekend, he remained positive:

“I was really pleased with my progress in free practice. Qualifying was a bit disappointing because I know I could have done better, but it was still a valuable experience.”

Racing from the back of the field gave him a new perspective: “It was interesting to see how things unfold at the rear of the grid and learn how to fight my way up. I took a lot from this race, and honestly, I can’t complain about the result.”

With a strong debut under his belt, Antonelli now turns his focus to the next challenge: the Chinese Grand Prix.