Antonelli Embraces Wolff’s Criticism Ahead of Azerbaijan GP

Kimi Antonelli has acknowledged the validity of Toto Wolff’s recent criticism regarding his performance at the Italian Grand Prix, describing it as “underwhelming.” The young Italian driver aims to leverage this feedback as motivation for improvement as he prepares for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend.

During his first full home Grand Prix weekend at Monza, Antonelli finished ninth after starting from sixth on the grid. His performance drew public disappointment from Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes. In addition to the race outcome, Antonelli faced challenges during practice, including a second consecutive incident that left him stranded on the track, thus limiting his preparation time.

Reflecting on Wolff’s remarks, Antonelli stated, “I think I pretty much understand his comment. You know, me and Toto are always very open with each other, and we talk to each other quite openly.” He noted that while qualifying went well, he struggled significantly during the race, particularly on the hard tires, and made a mistake at the start. He added, “I agree [the race] wasn’t the best. But I took it positively – as fuel to do even better for this weekend.”

Focus on Improvement Ahead of Baku

After a promising start to his Formula 1 career, which included multiple top-six finishes and a pole position in Miami, Antonelli has encountered difficulties in recent races. In the six races since his maiden podium in Canada, he has only managed to secure ninth place in Italy and tenth in Hungary.

When discussing his conversations with Wolff about future expectations, Antonelli revealed, “The conversation was pretty clear: he just wants me to have a clean weekend to regain the momentum I had.” He expressed optimism about the upcoming races outside Europe, stating, “I’m really looking forward to clean weekends and getting back the momentum, and that’s what the team wants.”

As the Formula 1 circuit shifts to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Antonelli’s focus will be on rectifying the issues that have affected his recent performances. The race weekend will also feature the Formula 2 support series, providing further opportunities for drivers to showcase their skills.

With the Azerbaijan Grand Prix scheduled for 12:00 PM local time on September 21, 2024, all eyes will be on Antonelli as he seeks to transform feedback into actionable improvements on the track.