Andrea Kimi Antonelli does not appear intimidated by the possibility of fighting for the title with a Mercedes that started as the leading force, defining it instead as a great opportunity. The Italian driver nevertheless considers Ferrari a potential title contender, further explaining that having the best car will not be a guarantee of success. With the new regulations, the driver can truly make the difference, as Antonelli explained to the Italian press present in the Shanghai paddock, including FormulaPassion.
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The strength of Mercedes
It is a serene Kimi who prepares for the Chinese Grand Prix, aware of the competitiveness of his W17, while remaining grounded: “Where we were strong in Melbourne was above all in qualifying in being able to optimize the energy delivery. In the end, in the race Ferrari was well-placed with battery usage, it was strong in the points where we were, so much so that even George was struggling. In qualifying, however, even though the wind changed and therefore also the approach to the corners and the use of energy, we managed to find the right compromise that gave us that advantage.”
The Bolognese explains why the situation and the balance of power can change so much from Saturday to Sunday this year: “In qualifying you go much faster, you get on the gas sooner and therefore it is more difficult for the battery. In qualifying we then had to introduce lift and coast, because the laps are becoming faster and faster. In the end, these are all things we tried in the simulator before the race and for this reason we were prepared for the change in conditions. [On Saturday] how you have to use the battery changes a bit, also depending on the track conditions. I believe that helped us and allowed us to make such a big difference in qualifying. However, the car, even at the chassis level, is strong in the corners and you still have to take them. The way you approach them then has an impact on how the battery is used. I think it’s a combination.”
Keep an eye on Ferrari
The paddock and the stopwatch unanimously elect Mercedes as the best car at the moment, but Antonelli warns not to underestimate the competition: “Certainly having a car like this is a great opportunity. I must say, however, that with Ferrari it won’t be easy. They are also pushing hard, the car is ultimately good and they are certainly the second force. They could be contenders [for the title] and this weekend they are also bringing the Macarena wing, which worked anyway and could help them. Their car is good and they should not be excluded [from the fight].”
Furthermore, the game will be played largely on updates: “Development during the season will be important. Last year we were at the end of the regulation cycle, so it was harder to find gains in the wind tunnel, while the power unit was also very standard. This year, incredible gains can be found both in the wind tunnel and with the power unit. Whoever manages to develop better will make the difference. Yes, I believe we have an advantage, but we must be careful, because the situation can change. One false step and you find yourself behind.”
The dream of the title
To date, it is not known how the balance of power will evolve during the year, but the certainty remains that at the moment Mercedes has an advantage over the competition. All this puts Antonelli in front of the prospect of fighting for the title: “I will try to be ready. It is one of those opportunities that doesn’t happen every day, so it is important to try to seize it in the best possible way, trying to be ready for every occasion. Certainly there will be scenarios where I will still have to gain experience, but I will try to be ready.”
Kimi himself admits he still has a lot to learn, even if his maturity compared to twelve months ago is evident: “I have changed a lot and also my approach to race weekends is very different. Last weekend I was more relaxed, I enjoyed it more in general. Last year helped me grow a lot and understand what approach I should have, how to behave during weekends, how to manage my energy… It was an incredible lesson.”
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“It helped me a lot in the first weekend, which was full of ups and downs, but last year’s experiences helped me stay calm and focused on what I have to do. After the third free practice I thought my weekend was over. But then I was lucky enough to get back on track and in qualifying, instead of being nervous or tense, the only thing I thought about was trying to do the best job possible with what I had, because the car had no setup or anything, but I still tried to stay calm”.
The critical issues of the new regulations
Despite driving the best car, Antonelli also believes that the FIA will have to intervene to dampen some critical issues of the new cars, provided they do not make rash decisions: “We are at the beginning of a regulation that has changed in many aspects, so it will certainly improve with evolution, also on the power unit and software front. The FIA is trying to implement changes to meet the feedback we provide and on certain tracks they will certainly be needed. A circuit like this [Shanghai] is fine for how the rules are written now, because managing energy is simpler. There will be tracks, however, where changes will be needed. The FIA is very open towards us and is trying to collect all the comments we are making to find a solution, which in any case will have to be well thought out. It can be improved, but also worsened. It will have to be well thought out, because it takes a moment to find yourself at the opposite extreme.”
Among the hot topics is the start, which was quite chaotic in Melbourne: “It seems that the simulations did not correctly predict the formation lap, where the battery usage was very different from reality. This year warming up the tires is more difficult, you have less downforce and you have to put much more energy into them during the first lap to warm them up. This means you have to push more during the formation lap and consequently use more battery. With the rules we have, a certain amount of energy can be recharged in that lap, which is why you have to try to use the battery in the best possible way. It’s a point they are working on, but I don’t think they will be able to fix everything this weekend. The fact that we have a Sprint, however, can help us in view of the long race, being able to already try the formation lap, so then you know how to move on Sunday.”
The importance of the driver
The spirit of observation is one of Kimi’s distinctive qualities, whose reflections on the changes to be made to the regulations, however, do not place him on the same line of thought as other colleagues who are much more critical of the new cars: “I don’t complain too much. There are aspects that maybe aren’t the best, but in the end it’s the same for everyone. On a personal level, it’s important that the driver tries to do the maximum with what he has. Many things are cumbersome, they don’t come naturally, but if you manage to get into gear, you can make the difference.”
Kimi says:“In Melbourne, in qualifying, compared to George I got the way I went on the gas in one corner wrong and this caused the system to get a bit confused and for me to lose out on the following straights. It is very important that the driver’s inputs are consistent and precise, because this makes the difference. Certainly there are aspects that need to be improved and that are not the best, but in the end it’s the same for everyone.”
