Andrea Kimi Antonelli could not hide his frustration after a disastrous qualifying session for the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The Mercedes driver crashed into the inside wall at Turn 1 during Q1, damaging his suspension and forcing an early end to his session. This incident dealt a severe blow to the championship leader, who was fighting for pole position.
A Needless Error
Speaking to Sky Sport F1, Antonelli owned up to his mistake without excuses. “I'm very angry, it was a fairly unnecessary mistake and could have been easily avoided,” he said. “Ending qualifying so early is a shame, but we'll try to bounce back tomorrow.” This is his first significant error of the season, after a previous incident in FP3 Melbourne.
As a result, Antonelli is set to start from the back of the grid. The team has yet to decide whether to change the power unit and take a grid penalty, considering Baku's demand for engine power. However, he doubts he can repeat his dream comeback like in Monza, where he charged from 19th to win.
Focus on the Race
“We have to see what we'll do with the power unit,” he explained. “But tomorrow we'll try to recover as many positions as possible. The win is very difficult because George is strong. We'll do our best anyway.” This statement hints at Mercedes' significant advantage over rivals, as noted by a reader's comment.
With George Russell performing impressively, Antonelli knows his chances are slim. But Baku often delivers surprises, and the 20-year-old remains determined to maximize every opportunity.
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