Kimi Antonelli Finds New‑Spec Mercedes ‘Very Difficult’ Ahead of Singapore Sprint
The 17‑year‑old rookie admits the split‑spec Mercedes is a tough nut to crack after a P7 sprint qualifying in Singapore.
Mercedes‑youngster Kimi Antonelli has openly admitted that the new‑spec car introduced for the Singapore Grand Prix weekend is proving to be a steep learning curve. Speaking after qualifying for the sprint race, the 17‑year‑old Italian said the car feels "very difficult" to drive, highlighting the challenges that come with Mercedes’ decision to run two different specifications on the same track.
Antonelli, who stepped up from the Formula 2‑based F2 Academy to become the youngest driver ever to sit in a Mercedes F1 car, qualified seventh in the sprint qualifying session. While the result placed him ahead of several seasoned drivers, he stressed that the car’s handling characteristics are markedly different from the standard specification used by his senior teammates. "The new spec is a lot more aggressive, the rear end is very lively and the balance is different," Antonelli told reporters, adding that he is still adapting his driving style to extract performance.
Mercedes made the split‑spec decision to test aerodynamic and power‑unit updates ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The team ran the older spec on one side of the grid and the updated spec on the other, giving drivers a direct comparison. While the updated spec promises higher down‑force and improved straight‑line speed, it also demands greater precision in corner entry and throttle application – a demanding proposition for a rookie still mastering the nuances of a modern F1 car.
For Indian fans, the sprint qualifying took place at 1:30 pm IST, with the sprint race starting at 3:00 pm IST. The event was streamed live on FanCode, which also offered a dedicated commentary feed for Indian viewers. Antonelli’s candid remarks have sparked discussion on social media, with many Indian F1 enthusiasts cheering the young driver’s honesty and noting his potential to become a future star for the team.
Mercedes will continue to evaluate the performance of both specifications over the weekend, with a final decision on which set‑up to carry forward to the season‑ending race. Antonelli’s feedback will be crucial as the team fine‑tunes the car for maximum competitiveness.
Source: Formula1.com