Kimi Antonelli says he feels “very fortunate” that Mercedes has not put further stress on him whereas dealing with the challenges of his rookie season in Formulation 1.
Mercedes signed Antonelli alongside George Russell this season; the 18-year-old making the step as much as Formulation 1 simply two years after racing in Formulation Regional. Antonelli made an robust begin, however the seven European races have yielded only a solitary level, which he says makes him admire the method Mercedes has taken to his growth.
“I really feel I am in a really fortunate place as a result of I am ready, regardless of being in a high workforce, to do my studying with out having an excessive amount of stress, or with out feeling the have to be at the best possible and be successful on a regular basis,” Antonelli mentioned.
“After all, the mindset and what I need and what the workforce desires is to win each time. Each time we go on observe, the aim is to win. And I am the primary one to be sad with myself once I know I am underperforming. However on the similar time, once I make errors, the workforce is at all times very supportive. And this additionally lets you overcome the error and to be higher the following time.”
The Italian mentioned the persistence of workforce principal Toto Wolff and the remainder of Mercedes has been a assist, however as he awaits affirmation of a contract extension, Antonelli admitted he has put an excessive amount of stress on himself throughout his robust run of outcomes.
“[The support has been] extraordinarily vital, not solely about Toto, however about the entire workforce,” he mentioned. “I believe I’ve obtained actually good folks round me that simply need the most effective for me. They have been attempting to guard me, and I by no means felt any stress from the workforce.
“I believe it was extra the stress I used to be placing on myself than from the workforce or something, as a result of the workforce has at all times been… Clearly in some events they have been pushing, nevertheless it’s good. However principally they have been at all times, as an instance good, as a result of they’ve at all times been giving me the area and so they at all times understood my scenario.
“On some events they have been attempting to push me. Nevertheless it’s good, and as a driver, you want it. As a result of clearly I am racing in a high workforce, and particularly if you see good outcomes, then as is regular, the workforce then begin to anticipate extra of those outcomes.
“I’ve to be sincere, I by no means felt any stress from the workforce. And thus far, they’re doing the most effective to place me in the most effective place. So I believe it is extra about me, that I inject ache to myself, simply by placing on an excessive amount of stress.
“However I’m very conscious that, additionally with all of the rumors and issues, I can sort of put this noise away as a result of the workforce has at all times been supportive and at all times have been clear and open to me on what they need and every little thing. So that basically helps as effectively with these sort of conditions.”
