Antonelli: The mid-season crisis taught me a lot

      On Thursday in Qatar Kimi Antonelli spoke about the Vegas race, the objectives for this weekend and the season as a whole...

      Question: Kimi, last weekend's result [3rd place] wasn't the best of your career, but could you call the last race your best?

      Kimi Antonelli: I think so. We did a great job. The strategy was risky, but it worked, changing the course of my race. In terms of execution everything was very good. I think, from my side, it was probably the best race of the season so far. I used everything I've learned over the season, carefully managing the tyres' condition. I enjoyed it.

      Question: What has your debut season in Formula 1 taught you most?

      Kimi Antonelli: A lot, but obviously the process is ongoing. I better understand what I need on track and off it, and I know that a lot depends on getting the setup right before a session. You need to be able to focus on what's important, not just the end result — focus on how to achieve it, how to get everything right. There are many other little things, but I think I've grown a lot over the season. I've become more mature. Overcoming difficulties really helped me, now I handle different situations better. Of course, there's always room to improve, but I feel like I'm heading in the right direction.

      Question: Do you think Mercedes will be able to fight with McLaren and Red Bull for the lead this weekend?

      Kimi Antonelli: No one knows in advance. Last year the Mercedes cars were pretty quick, especially in qualifying. I hope we'll be at least as good. There's a slightly strange trend this year. On tracks where we should be okay, the results sometimes leave much to be desired, while on tracks where we've been mediocre the car suddenly comes alive. Friday practice and the sprint qualifying will answer many questions. It's important to start the weekend well, be on optimal pace from the first practice — and progress with every session. Honestly, I'm looking forward to it. There are only two rounds left in the season, we want to finish it with a good result.

      Question: In Vegas you did 48 laps on the Hard tyres; would you have been able to do such a stint in the early races of this season? And if the answer is "no", what changed over the year that allowed you to execute such a strategy?

      Kimi Antonelli: No, at the start of the season I wouldn't have been able to do that. Over the season you learn a lot, try different compounds at different tracks, and understand how they react to driving styles. I must say the C3 compound appealed to me straight away, along with the softer C4 and C5. Over the season I learned to work with them, and in Vegas I put all my experience together and did pretty well. That allowed me to do the long stint, optimally using the tyres' life as they wore with each lap. With the team's support I was able to balance the car, especially in the closing laps, and bring it to the finish. I don't think I would have made it to the end at the start of the season.

      Question: Last year you raced in Formula 2. Has your attitude toward any circuits changed after moving up to Formula 1?

      Kimi Antonelli: Most of them. For example, I was very impressed in Monaco by how quickly you can go down those streets in an F1 car. In Barcelona, taking the final corner flat-out in qualifying gives you an incomparable feeling. In Formula 2 you couldn't even think about that — otherwise you'd end up in the grandstands with the car.

      Question: The middle of the season was difficult for you. Were there moments when you doubted yourself? How did you deal with it?

      Kimi Antonelli: I think, as you know, when we switched to the new suspension it was quite hard for me. George was able to adapt, but I ran into problems, a kind of downward spiral that I fell deeper into. I was overwhelmed with disappointment, I doubted myself, I asked whether I was good enough. After Monza we had a big debrief within the team, I rebooted my mind, simply trying to focus on the process, and that really helped. The mid-season crisis taught me a lot.