02/08/2025 15:30
Mercedes has been warned by former F1 driver Martin Brundle it must
protect Kimi Antonelli during his current rough patch, to ensure
his "head doesn't spiral". The Italian teenager enters the
Hungarian Grand Prix without a point in six of the past seven
events, the exception being his maiden podium in Montreal. All of
Antonelli's non-point finishes have come in Europe, with the
continent representing the home of the 18-year-old's current
difficulties. Following a Q1 exit in Belgium, the Mercedes driver
was the final driver to enter the media pen, where he was spotted
holding a tissue, suggesting emotions had been flowing. It marks a
challenging period in his rookie campaign, which had started
flawlessly in tricky conditions in Australia earlier this year.
Brundle has urged the youngster to keep pushing, but recognised he
has "no reference" having been so protected by Mercedes. "He's just
got to stick with it," Brundle told Sky F1 , discussing Antonelli's
recent struggles. "We've seen the talent in Melbourne and Canada,
for example, of what he's capable of achieving. "But the trouble
for Kimi is he's been so fast-tracked in a protected environment,
he's got nothing to draw on. Now it's getting tough. "He's got
nowhere to go to, no reference points, but he's got a lot of people
rallying around him. He's got the raw talent, but they've just got
to make sure his head doesn't spiral." Mercedes changes Whilst
Antonelli's performances have worsened dramatically, George Russell
has also endured a few challenging races since his win in the
Canadian Grand Prix. Mercedes' general pace has decreased, with
the team having reverted to its old rear suspension at the
Hungaroring in a bid to bounce back. Brundle is hopeful the change
will deliver a much-needed boost to Antonelli, who finished 10th
and three places behind Russell in second practice. "They've gone
back to the old rear suspension. It's quite clear that Mercedes has
gone wrong somewhere in the last few races," added Brundle.
"They've got to backtrack and find out where, and hopefully he'll
be up to speed here. But I know what it's like when you lose
confidence, you tighten up in the car, and you get too aggressive.
"It's like playing golf or a tennis swing, [as soon as you] tighten
up, you lose that natural rhythm and the follow through or
whatever. And this happens in the car. "You over-control it, and
as soon as it starts sliding, when you're confident, you just don't
care. When you're not, oh no, or it starts to rain, and that's
where your head needs to come through."
