Kimi Antonelli says he feels “very fortunate” that Mercedes has not put extra strain on him whereas dealing with the challenges of his rookie season in Method 1.
Mercedes signed Antonelli alongside George Russell this season; the 18-year-old making the step as much as Method 1 simply two years after racing in Method Regional. Antonelli made an robust begin, however the seven European races have yielded only a solitary level, which he says makes him admire the method Mercedes has taken to his improvement.
“I really feel I am in a really fortunate place as a result of I am in a position, regardless of being in a prime crew, to do my studying with out having an excessive amount of strain, or with out feeling the have to be at the very best and be profitable on a regular basis,” Antonelli stated.
“After all, the mindset and what I need and what the crew desires is to win each time. Each time we go on observe, the aim is to win. And I am the primary one to be sad with myself once I know I am underperforming. However on the similar time, once I make errors, the crew is all the time very supportive. And this additionally lets you overcome the error and to be higher the subsequent time.”
The Italian stated the persistence of crew principal Toto Wolff and the remainder of Mercedes has been a assist, however as he awaits affirmation of a contract extension, Antonelli admitted he has put an excessive amount of strain on himself throughout his powerful run of outcomes.
“[The support has been] extraordinarily vital, not solely about Toto, however about the entire crew,” he stated. “I believe I’ve bought actually good individuals round me that simply need the most effective for me. They have been attempting to guard me, and I by no means felt any strain from the crew.
“I believe it was extra the strain I used to be placing on myself than from the crew or something, as a result of the crew has all the time been… Clearly in some events they have been pushing, but it surely’s good. However largely they have been all the time, as an example good, as a result of they’ve all the time been giving me the house they usually all the time understood my state of affairs.
“On some events they have been attempting to push me. Nevertheless it’s good, and as a driver, you want it. As a result of clearly I am racing in a prime crew, and particularly once you see good outcomes, then as is regular, the crew then begin to count on extra of those outcomes.
“I’ve to be trustworthy, I by no means felt any strain from the crew. And thus far, they’re doing the most effective to place me in the most effective place. So I believe it is extra about me, that I inject ache to myself, simply by placing on an excessive amount of strain.
“However I’m very conscious that, additionally with all of the rumors and issues, I will sort of put this noise away as a result of the crew has all the time been supportive and all the time have been clear and open to me on what they need and every part. So that basically helps as properly with these sort of conditions.”
