Toto Wolff says Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s crash on his Mercedes debut in Italian Grand Prix apply has “a bearing on the group’s choice on who to switch Lewis Hamilton subsequent season” Zero” affect.
The 18-year-old Italian driver’s first F1 race got here to an abrupt finish when he misplaced management of his W15 and hit the barrier throughout apply at Parapolica.
Mercedes are anticipated to substantiate Antonelli as George Russell’s team-mate for 2025 in some unspecified time in the future over the weekend, with Hamilton set to go away to hitch Ferrari.
Requested on the post-race press convention whether or not the crash would have affected his choice, Mercedes group principal Wolff stated: “No, zero affect.
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Toto Wolff backs Antonelli regardless of teenager crashing into barrier at Monza
“I believe a very powerful factor is to rent primarily based on skill. An issue FP1 just isn’t the explanation you determine for or towards a driver.”
Wolff described Antonelli’s pace in his quick time on the monitor as “astonishing”. He briefly topped the timesheets after the primary lap, then on the second lap earlier than the accident he set what was then the quickest intermediate stage.
Questioner Sky Sports activities F1 If this incident exhibits that it’s “too early” for Antonelli, Wolfe replied: “Completely not.
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Lewis Hamilton believes Antonelli can be nice option to fill Mercedes seat earlier than heading to Ferrari
“It was nice. He was a pleasure to observe. You may see his uncooked pace. Going on the market, first lap, second lap was nice. I believed his pace within the Lesmo and Ascari was within the session.”
“I might slightly sluggish somebody down and calm him down than the opposite means round and make him go sooner as a result of the second just isn’t doable. So it is a part of the training curve.”
“Lesson discovered!” – Antonelli apologizes after accident
Antonelli was on account of tackle the media after second apply, however his look was canceled and Mercedes as an alternative shared a recorded message from the motive force.
After the accident, he rapidly returned to F2 qualifying, ending sixth and remaining first on the finish of the race.
He stated: “What an awesome day. The primary FP1 was accomplished. Sadly it ended rapidly on account of a crash. It was fairly huge, about 52gs.
Toto Wolff consoles Antonelli after incident
“I actually really feel sorry for the group and George for letting them proceed to work after the very fact. It was only a mistake on my finish. It was simply too demanding of a situation.”
“I ought to have taken the working extra step by step. However positively a lesson discovered subsequent time.
“I am nonetheless very grateful to the group for making this doable and it is nice to see all of the fan Be there and full the primary lap with all drivers on the monitor.
“I am not feeling nice proper now. Simply going again and making an attempt to relaxation and focus for the remainder of the weekend as a result of there’s nonetheless some video games to go and we’re nonetheless going to attempt to get an excellent outcome.”
No plans forward of Antonelli’s subsequent F1 race
Mercedes has been making an attempt to maneuver Antonelli up from Formulation Two, with plans together with testing the group’s older vehicles and participating in F1 apply periods.
Antonelli can be broadly anticipated to function in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, with Wolff rejecting ideas that {the teenager}’s return could possibly be introduced ahead to present him an opportunity to beat the affect of the Monza crash.
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Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell confronted unusual distractions throughout second apply for the Italian Grand Prix, together with laughing and unfastened nuts!
Wolff stated: “No, I believe a robust driver must get better from these items and take care of the stress.
“Clearly this week has not been straightforward for him. He nonetheless has to race in F2. At Monza you could have all this shenanigans round you and the Italian children are so hyped, driving a Mercedes for the primary time – it have to be one A heavy burden.
“But when he needs to be champion sooner or later, he must take care of that. I’ve little doubt he can and he’ll.”
Wolff stated he did not really feel responsible for over-hyping Antonelli, however admitted the Italian would have felt “horrible” after the incident.
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Antonelli takes spectacular first F2 race win at Hungarian Grand Prix
“I believe there’s guilt on this scenario,” Wolfe stated. “In our business, we all know precisely who’s succesful and who just isn’t.
“The way it all took place, he jumped into F3 and he received nearly every little thing earlier than that… then clearly you begin as a Mercedes driver, you take a look at in FP1 and on the identical time you are in Underneath a magnifying glass, because it all occurred at Monza, it has been some time because the Italian driver joined a high group.
“So I am positive it means so much to an 18-year-old man. However I’ve stated it earlier than, he must swim and he must get via these robust days, as he’s now – and naturally it feels unhealthy – it is is a part of the event curve.
Brundle: Antonelli’s confidence will probably be broken
Sky Sports activities F1 Martin Brundle stated Antonelli’s confidence can be “broken” by the incident.
“That is the very last thing he or the group wants,” Blundell stated. “They did not get any information, the automobile was broken and his confidence was broken.
“Mercedes wished to painting him as a future star. He labored very, very laborious from the beginning. He simply turned purple within the second sector, barely forward of Lewis, and he anticipated an excessive amount of too rapidly.
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Highlights from Friday’s first apply session of the Italian Grand Prix
“Clearly, as soon as he acquired within the automobile, he did not have sufficient grip for his pace.
“It is such a disgrace. I like his confidence however he must be extra cautious with how he performs.”
Forward of Antonelli’s return to F2 qualifying afterward Friday, Brundle stated the teenager’s response to the incident was telling.
“As we all know, if he will get to the extent of (Michael) Schumacher, (Ayrton) Senna, Max Verstappen, then it would bounce again,” he stated.
“I will always remember watching Michael Schumacher smash Nelson Piquet’s Benetton and we thought, ‘Okay, now let’s have a look at how good Michael Schumacher is.’ He acquired again into his place, His subsequent lap was the quickest of all as a result of he had supreme inside confidence to match his expertise.
“We’ll see if that is the case with younger Antonelli.”
Sky Sports activities F1 Italian Grand Prix stay schedule
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A glance again at a number of the most dramatic moments from the Italian Grand Prix
Saturday, August thirty first
8.25am: F3 dash
11.15am: Italian Grand Prix apply three (begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 dash
2.15pm: Italian Grand Prix qualifying preparations
3pm: Italian Grand Prix qualifying*
5pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, September 1
7:30 am: F3 Particular Race
9 a.m.: F2 Particular Race
11 a.m.: Porsche Tremendous Cup
12:30pm: Sunday Grand Prix: Preparations for the Italian Grand Prix
2pm: Italian Grand Prix
4pm: Checkered flag: Reactions to the Italian Grand Prix
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast stay on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion
The 2024 Formulation 1 season continues with this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime
