P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Although Mercedes enjoyed a mostly positive pre-season period, it wasn’t all smooth for Kimi Antonelli.
Kimi Antonelli expressed frustration over his premature car stoppage at the end of the pre-season test in Bahrain, caused by a power unit issue. The Italian driver completed 516 laps during the testing period, ranking him 10th overall. Despite setbacks, Antonelli emphasized the importance of testing and the team’s commitment to learning and improving. George Russell led testing with 688 laps, positioning Mercedes as a frontrunner in the upcoming season. Antonelli acknowledged the need for continued development to compete at the highest level, with the team focusing on performance enhancements before the season opener in Melbourne. The team’s collective effort in Brackley and Brixworth is directed towards refining the car and preparing for competitive racing.
