Antonelli's ambition 'spoils' Baku GP's sterling comeback
Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Baku
A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli came close to his second Formula 1 podium in Baku, but the young Mercedes driver had to settle for P4 behind race winner Max Verstappen, teammate George Russell and Williams’ Carlos Sainz.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished P4 in Baku. Photo: RacePictures.
“Well, it’s a little bit disappointing because the podium was so close,”- Andrea Kimi Antonelli
“Well, it’s a little bit disappointing because the podium was so close,” Antonelli admitted afterwards. “The hard tyre felt very good, quite a bit better than the medium. And the deg on the hard was minimal. You know, every lap was just getting better and better. So, it was a bit of a shame because I ended up being overcut.”
Antonelli had looked set to challenge Sainz in the final stint, but the Italian rookie explained how the Williams’ dirty air cost him the chance to attack. “I almost got into DRS of Carlos.
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"But then I started to struggle a bit with the dirty air, especially in the second sector, and the tyres started to suffer a little bit. But still, decent performance for the team because we gained quite a few points on the Constructors’. Now we will try to carry this momentum into Singapore as well.”
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Mercedes takes P2 in the Constructors' Championship
Mercedes had double reason to celebrate in Baku. Russell’s second place, combined with Antonelli’s P4, means the Brackley team leapfrog Ferrari in the standings. With seven races to go, Mercedes now sit P2 in the Constructors’ behind McLaren.
The battle for second, though, is far from done. Ferrari are still close behind and Red Bull could re-enter the fight. Helmut Marko hinted that with their form improving under new boss Laurent Mekies, the energy drink giant could yet complicate the battle.
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For Antonelli, though, the focus is on his own progress and Sunday showed once again he is getting closer to mixing it with the front runners.
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