Kimi Antonelli/Mercedes: “That was a wake-up call; I want to attack in the Grand Prix!”

Kimi Antonelli seemed to be back to his old self after the summer break: he set the fastest time in free practice at Zandvoort. But then mistakes crept in: he drove through the gravel trap, damaging the underbody of his Mercedes, and ended up in fifth on the grid for the Sprint.

In the short race on Saturday afternoon, the 19-year-old Italian made up one place shortly after the start at the expense of Oscar Piastri (McLaren), but he couldn’t get any further forward: P4 in the Sprint.

In the three segments of the GP qualifying session, Kimi finished fifth, fifth again and finally third, after which the Bolognese driver was frustrated: “I saw raindrops on my helmet visor and was too hesitant in the first corner.”

“I generally had trouble finding a car balance that I felt completely comfortable with, especially at the rear. That applies particularly to the third section of the track.”

Commenting on his number of mistakes, the World Championship leader said: “I wouldn’t say it’s down to the pressure. But I’ve had my wake-up call there, with the mistake in the sprint qualifying and another slip-up in the GP final practice session. It just goes to show that you must never put yourself in a vulnerable position, because in Formula 1 you’re punished for it straight away.”

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Kimi’s plan for the Dutch Grand Prix is: “My best chance is the start; I want to make up a place straight away. After that, we’ll have to come up with a strategy to get to the front.”

“I won’t be driving passively; I want to attack, but I’ll also be driving with my head. If an opportunity presents itself, I’ll seize it; otherwise, I’ll be biding my time.”