Gwen Lagrue, Mercedes’ Driver Development Advisor, recently shared insights into why Andrea Kimi Antonelli caught the attention of the Brackley team. It wasn’t just talent that set him apart; Lagrue emphasized a unique attribute that made a lasting impression.
Mercedes, last year just before the Italian Grand Prix, made a big announcement. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a promising talent from their F2 team, was chosen to replace Lewis Hamilton, who had earlier confirmed his decision to leave the team in February.
Hailing from Bologna, Antonelli had spent the previous season competing in Formula 2 and had participated in several testing sessions with Mercedes. After they had announced his advancement, he first took the wheel of the 2021 Mercedes F1 car at the Red Bull Ring. He then accumulated experience in the 2022 model at tracks like Imola and Silverstone.
In August, Antonelli took another stride by gaining experience at Spa, shortly before his debut on a race weekend. During the Italian Grand Prix’s opening practice session, the young driver took George Russell’s car for a spin. However, an error on his second flying lap saw him meet the barriers at the notorious Parabolica corner.
Undeterred, he went on to Mexico, handling Lewis Hamilton’s car during FP1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where he opted for a more cautious approach to avoid mishaps.
Recently, this Mercedes junior embarked on another testing session at Jerez. Amid pleasant weather in early January, he clocked numerous laps with the 2021 F1 Mercedes, honing his skills further.
Reflecting on their journey together, Lagrue recounted his early recognition of Antonelli’s distinct capabilities. “With Kimi, it was evident early on that he had something different compared to other kids in karting,” Lagrue noted. Initially, his thoughts were confined to Antonelli’s prowess in go-karts, without any contemplation of Formula 1 prospects.
Lagrue further explained that contemporary racing series like Formula Regional have become instrumental in preparing drivers, and Antonelli was no exception. Many successful drivers have transitioned from it and its predecessor, the Formula Renault Eurocup, to F3 and F2, frequently dominating those categories.
What made Antonelli stand out, Lagrue revealed, was his impressive adaptability. Each new challenge brought out the best in him, and his ability to swiftly acclimate marked him as a “special” talent in the eyes of Mercedes. “When we conducted the initial single-seater tests, his rapid adaptation across various scenarios showcased his uniqueness,” Lagrue mentioned, confirming that Antonelli met all expectations progressively.
In mapping out Antonelli’s career path, Mercedes aims to ensure he learns the intricacies of the new F2 series. Depending on his performance and the situation in F1, there is a strategic plan to expedite his promotion to Formula 1, if necessary.
