Antonelli takes the light for his debut: "I had all the conditions I could have for my first race"

En Formula 1, things can happen very quickly. On the scale of a weekend or on the scale of a lifetime. Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a good example: the third youngest driver in the history of Formula 1, at only 18 years and six months, the Italian was one of the main disappointments of qualifying on Saturday, with an elimination in Q1. The next day, the Bologna native crossed the finish line triumphantly, without a trophy certainly, but with a formidable 4th place in the final classification (after the FIA ​​removed his five-second penalty, Ed.).

This Sunday in Melbourne, Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the second youngest driver in history to score points (a record of Max Verstappen, established in 2015 at the age of 17 years and five months, is out of reach under the current Super Licence rules) and has posted the best result in a first Grand Prix since Kevin Magnussen in 2014 (2nd in the 2014 Australian Grand Prix). Statistics that speak volumes about the Italian's prowess in Australia. While some might argue that the 18-year-old benefited from crashes, changing conditions, and safety cars to climb from 16th on the grid to 4th at the finish. However, to minimize his performance would be to do him an injustice, as the driver Mercedes showed a lot of composure this Sunday.

A spin, then a comeback

After starting from 16th place – or rather 15th place, since Isack Hadjar did not start – Andrea Kimi Antonelli initially appeared shaky, unable to attack the slower drivers in front of him and even spinning out on lap 17. A minor mishap without consequences that woke him up a little. From then on, the Italian appeared more aggressive, more confident, with some inspired overtaking moves on Nico Hulkenberg et Lance stroll. After the crash of Fernando AlonsoThe Mercedes driver found himself in the points zone, but his race would take another turn on lap 44 when rain appeared in Melbourne.

By pitting early enough and at the right time to put on the intermediates, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was able to gain several positions, both on track and via his rivals' pit stops. By the time the final Safety Car was deployed, the rookie found himself in 5th place. At the restart, the Italian got the better of Alexander albon to secure a very fine 4th place, just behind his teammate George Russell. After the finish, the youngster, all smiles, considered himself happy to have come out of this first F1 race without incident.

“A very eventful race. I had all the conditions I could have for my first race, recognizes Andrea Kimi AntonelliIt wasn't easy, but I'm very happy. The team did a good job, they guided me. After my mistakes, I lost a little confidence. The team did the right thing by calming me down and getting me back into the rhythm. They also made the right choices. I'm already looking forward to being in China. (…) I was very pleased with the progress I made through Free Practice. Of course, qualifying was disappointing; I could have handled it better. But it was a good experience, like today. I was able to see how things were going from the back of the grid and how I could move up. Good lessons, and I can't complain about the result!

Wolff congratulates Antonelli

A great performance that his boss did not fail to highlight, Toto wolffThe Austrian leader congratulated his new protégé, certifying that Andrea Kimi Antonelli was a champion in the making. "Even very good drivers spin out or hit the wall and it's easier not to finish than to finish, but he kept his cool and it was very impressive to see. It shows he has a good future as long as the trajectory stays the same.", said the Mercedes Team Principal, happy to see his team in 2nd place in the Constructors' Championship, tied with McLarenAfter this incredible result, the hardest part remains to come for Andrea Kimi Antonelli: to confirm this in the next meetings, in qualifying and in the race.

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