Andrea Kimi Antonelli Forced to Retire in Home Race at Imola
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s debut Formula 1 race at the Imola circuit ended prematurely due to a throttle failure. After starting from 13th on the grid, the Mercedes driver climbed to eighth place before retiring on lap 46.
The 18-year-old Italian expressed disappointment over the mechanical issue, stating, “After two or three laps [after the VSC], I started to have the issue with the throttle… then unfortunately it went off completely.” He also noted, “I was losing power, and sometimes the sensor was going crazy, so it’s a shame but these are things that can happen. Without the problem, the pace would have been much better.”
Despite the setback, Antonelli highlighted the need for further improvement, particularly in managing his performance under hot conditions. “When it’s cold, the pace is much better, and it’s easier to manage the tires. I need to work on that when it’s hot,” he said.
The rookie driver received substantial support from fans, which he found overwhelming: “This was probably the worst weekend in terms of performance. I’ll try to recover well and be back stronger in Monaco.” He acknowledged that the abundance of attention impacted his focus during the race, admitting he felt more tense when driving.
Overall, Antonelli’s experience at Imola serves as both a learning opportunity and a reminder of the competitive pressures in Formula 1. He concluded, “The support from the fans was incredible,” despite the difficulties encountered on track.
