P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kimi Antonelli has not enjoyed the most successful period behind the wheel at Mercedes in recent races.
George Russell has come to the defense of Kimi Antonelli, acknowledging the rookie driver’s recent struggles despite a strong start to the season with Mercedes. Antonelli, who had early success with five top-six finishes in the first six races, has faced challenges in the European leg of the championship, citing a lack of confidence in the car and Mercedes admitting to development missteps. Russell pointed out that Antonelli’s performance has actually improved over the season, even though the results may not reflect it, and reassured him that the team is satisfied with his progress given his limited experience. Despite the setbacks, both drivers continue to work through the difficulties caused by the car’s performance issues, showing resilience in the face of adversity.
