Kimi Antonelli says that he feels “very happy” that Mercedes has not put him extra pressure on him while confronted with the challenges of his Rookie season in Formula 1.
Mercedes signed Antonelli next to George Russell this season; The 18-year-old makes the step to Formula 1 only two years after racing in Formula Regional. Antonelli started strong, but the seven European breeds have only produced a lonely point that he says he appreciates the approach that Mercedes has chosen for his development.
“I feel that I am in a good lucky position, because, despite being in a top team, I learn to do my learning without having too much pressure, or without feeling the need to be at the best and winning all the time,” Antonelli said.
“Of course, the mentality and what I want and what the team wants is to win every time we go on track, the goal is to win. And I am the first to be unhappy with myself when I know that I underperform it. But at the same time, when I make mistakes, the team is always very supported.
The Italian said that the patience of Team Principal Toto Wolff and the rest of Mercedes has been an assistance, but because he is waiting for confirmation of a contract extension, Antonelli admitted that he exerted too much pressure in himself during his heavy series of results.
‘[The support has been] Very important, not just about Toto, but about the whole team, “he said.” I think I have really good people around me who just want the best for me. They tried to protect me and I never felt any pressure from the team.
“I think it was more the pressure that I put on myself than from the team or something, because the team has always been … Clearly in some cases they have pushed, but it is good. But usually they have always been, let’s say, because they have always given me the space and they always understood my situation.
“On some occasions they tried to push me. But it is good, and as a driver you need it. Because I clearly racet in a top team, and especially if you see good results, the team will start to expect more of these results.
“I have to be honest, I have never felt a pressure from the team. And so far they do the best to put me in the best position. So I think it’s more about me, that I inject pain, just by exerting too much pressure.
“But I am very aware that, even with all the rumors and things, I am able to put this noise away because the team has always been supportive and has always been clear and open to me about what they want and everything. So that really helps with situations like this.”
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