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Gabriel Bortoleto empathised with fellow rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli amid a frustrating spell for the Italian F1 this season.
Gabriel Bortoleto empathized with fellow rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli during a challenging season with Mercedes in Formula 1. Antonelli, skipping Formula 3, was directly promoted to Formula 2 and then swiftly to F1 after Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari.
Despite a strong start with a Sprint pole position in Miami and a podium in Canada, Antonelli struggled in the European races, only scoring a point in Hungary. Bortoleto, having raced against him in F2, acknowledged the pressure on Antonelli and wished for his confidence to bounce back.
Antonelli’s woes with the W16 started after Imola, exacerbated by an upgraded rear suspension that complicated the car’s handling. Teammate Russell also acknowledged the challenges the car posed, emphasizing the need for Antonelli to assess his season objectively.
Mercedes reverted to the old rear suspension at the Hungarian Grand Prix, aiming to improve performance. However, there is no immediate pressure on Antonelli after the summer break, with the team willing to support him through his struggles.
