Andrea Kimi Antonelli has said that his maiden Formula 1 podium has helped mend some psychological scars caused by his FP1 smash at Monza last year.
The Mercedes rookie has enjoyed a stellar start to his F1 career and reached a milestone in Canada two weeks ago by becoming the third-youngest driver in history to score a top-three finish.
However, despite the impressive string of results across the first 10 rounds – including a stunning pole position for the Miami Sprint Race – there have been lingering dents in his confidence.
These date back to the first time he partook in an F1 race weekend, when the German marque’s boss, Toto Wolff, gave him a seat for FP1 for the Italian Grand Prix.
Just 10 minutes into the session, Antonelli crashed heavily at the Parabolica, ending his running early and casting some doubt as to whether he was perhaps the right driver to fill a race seat.
However, his third-place finish in Montreal helped cement vindication in Wolff’s decision, and ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Antonelli spoke of the solace taken from the result.
“I think Canada was really important for me. It was a big relief, but as well it was important because I think there was a couple of times in the season where I came close to the podium,” he said.
“I mean, Australia first race, I came incredibly close, and as well with Miami, with the pole in the sprint, and then P3 in the quali.
“Definitely, I remember back then that was the goal to be at least in the podium, but I just missed out, and to finally achieve that in Canada definitely was really important.
“I think as well, this will help me as a driver to drive a bit more relaxed as well. Because, I’m not going to lie, in the previous weekends I’ve been maybe a bit too tense on some occasions, and a bit too conservative as well – especially in practice.
“I think now is really the time, after achieving this result, to make a step, and to make a step further, and to improve myself – especially as well on the approach in practice.
“So, trying to explore a bit more, especially the grip, because I think in qualifying I’ve been always arriving with too many question marks, and having to explore too much, and to learn too much.
“In qualifying you don’t really have much time, because it’s only one lap on the tyre and then that’s it. So, I think it’s really the time to make a step on this side, but I’m very excited for the weekend, and hopefully it can be a good one.”
Monza crash caused ‘overcorrection’ and ‘safe’ driving from Antonelli
Antonelli explained that the crash at the famed Italian circuit was indelibly etched into the way he has since approached practice sessions.
He explained this has been a trend, even in Canada, taking conservative runs throughout the session before planting a better lap towards the end.
“I think still in Canada I was a bit too conservative, especially in FP,” he added.
“Because if you look at the trend in FP, I would always arrive quite late into the session. I would always put the time quite late in the session, just because it kind of required many laps to get there.
“I feel like, obviously, I truly believe I overcorrected after what happened in Monza, and now I’m a bit too safe, I’m a bit on the safe side.
“But that’s why I think results like this also help you to move forward and to make the step. I think now is the time to do the step, because nowadays F1 is super tight, especially when you see qualifying, the gaps are just so close that even a tenth can put you on the back foot.
“So, it’s really important to be on the top of the game, and that’s why I cannot keep arriving in qualifying with so many question marks, and not the right confidence on how much grip there is, and having to explore too much and to learn too much, so I think now is the time, especially in practice, to get back a bit closer to Monza. Not exactly like Monza, but get closer to that in order to arrive ready in qualifying.”
READ MORE – George Russell indicates Mercedes engaged in F1 discussions with Max Verstappen
