P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes offer theory for Kimi Antonelli’s recent F1 performance drop.
Mercedes believes that Kimi Antonelli’s recent struggle in F1 is likely due to changes made to their 2025 car. The 18-year-old Italian rookie has faced challenges during the European leg of the season, with retirements and poor finishes in most races. Despite a podium finish in Canada, Antonelli has had a tough run of form. Mercedes’ trackside engineering director suggested that changes to the car may have affected Antonelli more than his teammate George Russell, who has more F1 experience. Antonelli is facing a steep learning curve, but Mercedes has faith in his potential and is providing support to help him improve his performance. It is crucial for the team to address the car’s weaknesses to help both Antonelli and Russell succeed in the remaining races of the season.
