Andrea Kimi Antonelli has enjoyed a competitive start to his Formula One career and aims to continue his form in Bahrain.
His finished fourth in awful conditions in Australia on his debut. Following this result with eighth in China, he was promoted to sixth after a double Ferrari disqualification. He also set the fastest lap. In Suzuka, he finished a second behind teammate George Russell. He also briefly led the race.
In Thursday’s Press Conference, Antonelli was asked a number of questions by the media.
When asked about his form in the opening three races, Antonelli stated:
“I mean, so far I think it’s gone pretty well. The thing I was the happiest about is the consistency throughout the three races and, you know, keep trying to improve weekend by weekend. Of course, every weekend is a massive learning for me, especially learning about the tyre.”
Suzuka ‘A step in the right direction’ for Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli was honest about his struggles in qualifying but felt Suzuka was a step in the right direction.
“I think it was really helpful and I think it’s going to be really helpful to have the same compound this weekend as well compared to Suzuka just because I’m understanding more and more the tyre.
I think in the first couple of races I really struggled with warm-up when it was coming to quali, and I think Suzuka was a big step forward on that side. So obviously massive learning, but so far I’m happy with how it’s going.”
“I think Suzuka was a really big step for me in terms of confidence and understanding the car.”
Antonelli is not new to the Bahrain International Circuit, having made his F2 debut there last year, with him scoring one point in the Feature Race. As well as this pre-season testing was held in Bahrain. When asked about the weather there, Antonelli talked about progress with the tyre.
“Keep the positive trend, keep improving the qualifying pace because I think the speed is there, but it’s more about being able to put all the dots together, starting from the warm-up and then the lap itself. But yeah, keep the positive trend and then obviously keep working hard and we’ll see what the result is going to be on Sunday.”
Antonelli has his say over proposed V10 engine return
Antonelli was later asked about the ongoing discussion around whether or not V10 engines should return to Formula One. He said:
“The V10 sounds amazing, so definitely it would be cool.”
Antonelli then added his perspective as someone behind the wheel:
“I think as a driver, what you want is something that gives you good drivability and is consistent and also lasts. So I think, you know, the level that this engine reached now is pretty incredible because
they can run at flat-out full speed for the whole Grand Prix—and for many Grands Prix.
So I think as a driver, you just want something that is reliable and that has good drivability.”
Antonelli will be hoping to continue his momentum in the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix. The race weekend begins tomorrow with the race being held on the 13th of April.
