Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed the Formulation 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix in fifth regardless of holding a commanding lead through the opening phases of the race.
The 20-year-old got here into the race weekend at Interlagos as Champion-elect after wrapping up a historic F1 title at Mexico final weekend.
But it surely was a tough outing for the Mercedes driver through the 71-lap race on Sunday. Antonelli was in a position to slip previous the MCL40 of Lando Norris and within the lead into the Senna esses in the beginning.
Nevertheless, because the observe began to dry up after a slippery getaway, Norris began to eat into the Italian’s benefit. When Antonelli lastly made his change onto the slick tyres, his race began to unravel.
Antonelli got here onto his staff radio comms to complain a few “bizarre” feeling within the automotive. He felt it was an errant suspension and the staff believed the steadiness felt off as a result of chilly tyres.
Regardless of the cause, the inherent imbalance noticed Antonelli lock his rears and spin as he braked for Flip 1. The resultant slide let Norris previous by way of into the lead and left Antonelli with scathed rubber.
This, he revealed, made him “indignant” however he determined to place his emotions away as Mercedes additionally wrapped up their ninth Constructors’ title.
“Yeah, I’m very disillusioned for the race,” Antonelli mentioned.
“I’m very indignant, to be truthful, however I’m going to place all this apart for now, as a result of the staff clinched the title. We clinched the title for the staff, and so they all deserve it.
“I’m very proud to be a part of this group and this staff who’ve performed, and nonetheless do, a lot for me. I’m very pleased for them.
“However speaking in regards to the race particularly, yeah, very disappointing as a result of we have been on for the win as much as that time.
“Additionally, on the slick, as soon as I used to be in a position to get some temperature, I used to be stepping into the rhythm. However yeah, the spin got here, which nonetheless is one thing I want to have a look at as a result of I don’t know why I misplaced the rear so rapidly as effectively, like no warning, nothing.”
Kimi Antonelli requests Mercedes inquest into F1 Sao Paulo GP troubles
After the race, Antonelli was nonetheless trying to find solutions. He revealed that he had issues solely in left-handed corners and high-speed sections.
The 20-year-old defined how he felt one thing was off with the “geometry” of the W17 through the race.
“We have to test one thing with the geometry of the automotive, of the rear, as a result of I had this challenge solely in left corners. So particularly at excessive pace was after I was feeling it essentially the most,” he advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“And the rear felt very unstable, even coming into the end line within the left kink, the rear was very free, which was bizarre.
“We have to test one thing within the automotive to see if something occurred. But it surely was a really odd feeling. After which after I spun, the tyres have been gone; all 4 wheels flat-spotted. Solely when then I placed on the second set, we bought again to [usual] tempo. It was a disgrace.”
Antonelli learns destiny after post-race FIA investigation
The Mercedes driver additionally bought himself in scorching water with the stewards throughout his pit cease.
The 2026 F1 World Champion was launched within the path of Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, with the Argentine narrowly lacking a disaster within the pit lane.
Antonelli was put beneath investigation after the race, with the stewards imposing a five-second time penalty on the Italian.
“The stewards heard from the driving force of Automotive 12 (Kimi Antonelli), staff consultant and reviewed video and in-car video proof and decided that Automotive 12 was launched in an unsafe method when Automotive 43 was approaching within the quick lane,” learn the stewards’ choice.
“Whereas Automotive 12 was entitled to journey down the pit lane in parallel to vehicles within the quick lane, on this occasion, Automotive 12 momentarily misplaced management on the slippery floor and needed to take steps to keep away from a collision and that resulted in a probably unsafe state of affairs.
“The staff acknowledged that this launch might have been dealt with higher and in a safer method. We impose a five-second time penalty.”
Regardless of the penalty, Antonelli retains his fifth-placed end behind his team-mate George Russell.
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