Mercedes’ 2024 rookie, 18‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli, told the media on Saturday that his performance in the final practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was "a good recovery" after a difficult start to the weekend. The comment came after Antonelli posted the fastest time of the session, edging out the experienced drivers and showing the pace of the new‑generation car on the street circuit.
What happened in Baku practice?
The third practice session at the Baku City Circuit saw a mixed bag of results for the Mercedes team. While teammate George Russell struggled with tyre degradation, Antonelli managed to find a clean window and set a lap time of 1:44.321, which placed him third overall for the day. Earlier in the day, the young Italian had been caught out by a brief off‑track excursion that cost him valuable time, prompting concerns about his adaptation to the high‑speed, low‑downforce layout.
Mercedes engineers, speaking to Formula1.com, highlighted that the car’s recent aerodynamic updates were beginning to show benefits, especially in the long straights that define Baku. They also praised Antonelli’s composure, noting that his ability to extract performance under pressure bodes well for his development ahead of the sprint qualifying later on.
Why the comment matters
Antonelli’s statement is significant for several reasons. First, it underscores the rapid learning curve the rookie has displayed since joining the team in pre‑season testing. Second, it offers a morale boost for Mercedes, which has been under pressure after a string of under‑whelming results in the early part of the 2024 season. Finally, the Baku weekend is a crucial test of the team’s new floor and rear‑wing concepts, and a strong practice showing could translate into a better qualifying position and, potentially, a podium finish.
For Indian fans, the Baku Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode with commentary in English and Hindi. The race is scheduled to start at 15:00 IST on Sunday, 30 April, and the sprint qualifying will kick off at 12:30 IST. Antonelli’s progress is being closely watched, as a strong showing could add another exciting storyline for the Indian audience, especially with the growing interest in young talent from Europe.
Source: Formula1.com
