Andrea Kimi Antonelli has a weakness that could slow down his rise. How can his team help him overcome it?
Many know Antonelli as the prodigy destined to succeed Lewis Hamilton. Yet, he now seems to be facing a challenge that has caught the paddock’s attention. Observers are starting to question this surprising weakness of Antonelli.
Qualifying: Antonelli’s Achilles heel?
The young driver’s climb through the junior categories was nothing short of spectacular. However, his transition to the elite stage has highlighted an area where he appears less comfortable: qualifying sessions. It’s a weakness Kimi Antonelli himself has acknowledged, a concerning flaw in a sport where even a fraction of a second can make all the difference.
Starting further back on the grid can turn any race into a grueling challenge in Formula 1. It forces the driver to fight his way through the pack, a brutal reality that stands in sharp contrast to his reputation as a dominant force. This unexpected situation raises doubts about his ability to deliver under intense pressure. It also questions whether he can extract the very best out of a car over a single lap.
How should the team handle this weakness of Antonelli ?
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Mercedes. Toto Wolff’s team has placed a big bet on their young talent, but they know they can’t afford to rush his development. Managing this weakness has now become a top priority in Antonelli’s training program. He will need to sharpen not just his raw speed, but also his mental approach and strategic mindset during qualifying.
The engineers will have to work closely with Antonelli. They need to dive deep into the data to identify what’s holding him back from reaching his full potential. The road to the top of Formula 1 is filled with obstacles, and overcoming this particular one will be crucial. Only then can Antonelli truly prove he has what it takes to become a world-class F1 driver.