Antonelli pays the price for inexperience in difficult conditions: I was too cautious

Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrived in Brazil free from the pressure of the title fight. On Friday, he was all smiles and said he was enjoying himself on track. On Saturday, however, the fun ended and he faced one of the biggest challenges of his short career. Although Antonelli acquitted himself well, avoided any major mistakes and will start second with the help of grid penalties, he was not satisfied after qualifying.

Saturday’s qualifying session was a valuable experience for the young Italian. It would be unfair to say he disappointed, although he breathed a huge sigh of relief after scraping through Q2 in tenth, with considerable help from the red flags.

He ultimately set the third-fastest time in Q3, with “only” Charles Leclerc, who was experimenting and carrying a grid penalty, and the midfield drivers behind him. Alongside a degree of satisfaction, then, there is also a need for realism, and Antonelli himself was very realistic after qualifying.

“I think I was a bit too cautious, a bit too cautious out there, and just trying to understand the grip in the wet in this track. Obviously, always been driving on dry here,” the young Italian told Sky after qualifying.

“I felt very good in the dry. In the wet, I didn’t do a good enough job, especially in Q3. I did a two big mistakes in my last lap, and so it was not ideal. It was not ideal, but all in all, I think tomorrow, whether it’s going to be dry or wet, we’re going to have a good chance,” said Antonelli.

Despite a disappointing qualifying session, he still has a strong chance of victory. Sunday is likely to come down to a fight between him and Lando Norris. Of course, the order could change considerably during the race, especially if it rains, but as things stand, the nearest drivers from the top teams behind Norris and Kimi will be Isack Hadjar in fifth and George Russell in seventh.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to the wet. Obviously, I have a lot more experience now with the car, and so, yeah, if it’s wet, it’s going to be fun. But also if it’s dry, we’re going to do our best. But I think overall, it’s been a big learning this session. Not how I wanted to go, but, still decent,” said Kimi.