Andrea Kimi Antonelli has conceded that the upgraded Mercedes Components 1 automotive is “very unpredictable” to drive, after a disappointing exhibiting in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix Dash.
The Italian endured a difficult night’s work on the Marina Bay Circuit, culminating in a meagre seventh-place place Saturday afternoon’s race.
Antonelli continued to make use of the upgraded bundle, whereas teammate George Russell reverted to the outdated iteration of the W17, and located extra efficiency with P2.
Regardless of second place final week in Malaysia, it was evident that the Silver Arrows didn’t have the extra aggressive total automotive, a distinction to a lot of the season.
After qualifying, Antonelli admitted that there’s nonetheless not a full understanding of the upgrades, and has been left feeling his expectations have been removed from reached.
“Already in FP1, I used to be struggling; there may be nonetheless so much to know about this bundle,” the title-leader advised F1TV.
“Actually, the automotive may be very tough. Very unpredictable, and really tough to place a lap collectively. It’s a disgrace, as a result of I used to be coming with excessive hopes, however thus far it’s been very tough.”
I feel it’s going to be a tough weekend. Except we will pull one thing out tomorrow, however apart from that, it’s going to be very tough.
Predicting a “tough weekend,” Antonelli has readjusted these expectations, having finally did not match Max Verstappen’s pole place lap time by seven tenths of a second.
“I don’t actually see the place we will discover seven tenths, however you by no means know,” he stated. “Possibly tonight, Bono [Peter Bonnington, race engineer] and the engineers are going to seek out one thing within the automotive.
“And for positive, I’m going to attempt to enhance the driving somewhat bit after which let’s see.
“We’ll see tomorrow the place we find yourself.”
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