Kimi Antonelli gives his assessment after Bahrain: "My stay here wasn't the easiest."

Following the final Formula 1 winter tests held at the Bahrain circuit, Kimi Antonelli offered a mixed assessment of Mercedes' preparations. The main issue was a clear lack of reliability, which deprived them of valuable track time.

Kimi Antonelli, now embarking on his second season in Formula 1He needs track time to get to grips with the new cars. But for the Italian, the second test session in Bahrain was anything but smooth sailing. In terms of points, Mercedes Benz He completed a lot of laps on the Sakhir circuit (432 laps, the highest total of the eleven teams, Ed.). But things didn't go as planned for the Bologna native, who was slowed down by technical issues that disrupted his program.

"My stay here in Bahrain has not been the easiest.""He admitted this to the media. Without dramatizing the situation, he reiterated the very purpose of these days: "Everything hinges on testing, and it's really important to correct these problems now and address them right away, so that everything goes smoothly for the rest of the season."

The Italian assures that the problems encountered were quickly identified by Mercedes. "The team has looked into the problem and has already found the cause and the solution, so we hope everything will be alright for Australia." A reassuring message as the season rapidly approaches. Despite these setbacks, the overall feeling behind the wheel remains encouraging. Kimi Antonelli mentions a solid foundation and significant work on the setup, enough to approach the future with optimism.

While Mercedes seems to be in contention, its driver refuses to get carried away. The performances seen at Classic Ferrari for sale, McLaren et Red Bull suggest a close contest. "I think the top four are very close to each other and the fight will be tight."he warns. He particularly highlights Ferrari's competitiveness in certain sequences, as well as the solidity shown by McLaren and Red Bull as the days progressed. 

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In this context, the watchword is clear: maximize the car's potential without spreading yourself too thin. "We simply need to continue focusing on ourselves and try to achieve the best possible performance." One year after his debut, Kimi Antonelli feels better equipped to face the expectations surrounding Mercedes. "I feel good going into the season, much better prepared than last year.", he assures, aware that the accumulated experience changes his approach.

The real test will begin at the Australian Grand Prix, the first event on the F1 calendar. "Melbourne is getting closer very quickly... and it's time to really show what we're capable of." launches the one who finished 4th in the Australian rain for his grand debut in Formula 1. After turbulent but instructive tests, the Italian driver knows that the lessons learned in Bahrain will only be worthwhile if they translate into results when the lights go out.