Antonelli Details Mercedes’ ‘Bad Surprise’ Fear Ahead of F1 Debut

Kimi Antonelli has been undergoing intense winter preparations as he gears up for his Formula 1 debut with Mercedes, with the team working diligently to avoid any unexpected setbacks at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

Rapid Rise to F1 and Pressure to Perform

The 17-year-old Italian has been adjusting to life as a full-time Mercedes F1 driver, filling the void left by Lewis Hamilton’s departure. His meteoric rise through the ranks—winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2023 and bypassing Formula 3 to jump straight into Formula 2—has only amplified expectations.

With George Russell now his teammate, the 2024 season marks a fresh chapter for Mercedes, who are eager to finish the current regulations on a high before the new power unit rules arrive in 2025.

Mercedes’ Focus on Avoiding Melbourne Setbacks

Speaking to RacingNews365, Antonelli revealed that his winter program has been demanding, with significant factory time and team-building exercises aimed at ensuring a smooth transition into F1.

“It’s been quite interesting, the winter preparation has been quite intense,” Antonelli explained.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time at the factory, doing a lot of team building as well. So far, it’s been really interesting, and it’s gone well.”

Given Mercedes’ struggles under the current regulations, the Silver Arrows are determined to hit the ground running in 2024.

“I’ve been really trying to focus, day by day, on the progress and trying to learn as many things as possible,” he continued.

“What they want to avoid is arriving in Melbourne and having some bad surprises.”

With high expectations and immense scrutiny, Antonelli’s preparation will be crucial in determining his early success, as Mercedes aim to reassert themselves as title contenders in the coming season.