Antonelli Reveals Self-Doubt During Challenging F1 Rookie Season
LAS VEGAS, โขNV – November โ21, 2023 โฃ- Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has candidly admitted too โexperiencing periods of self-doubt during his debut Formula 1 season, โคdespite a strong finish to the year โthat sees him โฃpoised to challenge established stars. The โข17-year-old is just two points behind Lewisโ Hamilton โขin the drivers’ championship heading into the season finale.
Antonelli’s first year with Mercedes presentedโฃ a steep learning curve, marked by initial struggles followed by a resurgence in performance. While consistently scoring points and achieving podium finishesโ in Sรฃo โPaulo andโข Las Vegas, the โขyoung driver confessed to โคa difficultโค mid-seasonโ period in Europe where his confidence wavered. This revelation underscores the immense pressure faced by newcomers entering the pinnacle โคof motorsport and highlights Antonelli’s maturity inโ acknowledging hisโค vulnerabilities.
“This year has been a massive learning curve for โฃme,” Antonelli stated. โ”Definitelyโ going into Mercedes thisโ first year I think was a massive possibility.Obviously I was more underโ the spotlight,โ more under pressure,โฃ but I think that really helped me toโฃ grow even faster.”
The Italian driver detailed a challenging โคstretch โขwhere he questionedโ his ability to adapt to the demands of Formula 1. “I thinkโ this season I’ve had my ups and my downs. โObviously I had a very long, โฃdifficult period, but being able โto overcome it โคmade me stronger. It was kind of a smallโข victory for me, because obviously โduring that period of time in Europe I evenโ started to doubt myself and I was also afraid โthat I wouldn’tโ have been able to getโค out of โคit.”
However,โ Antonelli credits a turning point beginning with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as pivotal โคto his improved form. “But then โฃobviously since Baku we’ve been in a goodโค momentum and it’s been good fun recently. So I’m quite happy with the season, but mostly โI’m happy with how much I grew and how much I matured as aโค person.”
Lookingโค ahead, Antonelli expressed confidence in his preparation for the next season. “And definitely next โyear I’m going to be much more prepared โand much more in control of the situation.” โขHis reflections offer valuable insight into โthe mental fortitude required to succeed inโ Formula 1 and signal a promising future for the young talent.
