Andrea Kimi Antonelli has responded to Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko’s claim that Mercedes had “exposed” the Formula 1 rookie to “immense pressure”.
The Italian was signed by the Silver Arrows to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time world champion had announced that move early in the 2024 season.
Antonelli came with a high reputation from team principal Toto Wolff’s own evaluation and the fact he was fast-tracked into F2 by skipping F3.
While Antonelli, 19, isn’t expected to fill Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes, the hype around his arrival was higher than the other rookies on the grid. This is added by the fact that the team’s standing in the F1 championship dictated an expectation of strong results, something more experienced team-mate George Russell has managed.
What Russell was afforded, however, was an education in F1 at the Williams team for three seasons before stepping into the seat vacated by Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes for 2022.
Marko suggested to F1 Insider that the pressure facing Antonelli having been hyped so much, even before his debut, demonstrates the value of Racing Bulls, which serves as a junior squad to Red Bull.
The Austrian also suggested that Antonelli had told him he had ‘no confidence’ behind the wheel of the W16 at the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Asked about Marko’s comments ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Antonelli conceded: “Of course, starting straight away in a top team is not always easy, because obviously, racing for Mercedes is a massive privilege, but at the same time you need to deliver, you need to deliver the job.
“So sometimes you can feel under a lot of pressure, but I’m really happy to have started in Mercedes. Obviously, I’ve had some rough times, but the team has always been very supportive.
“I’m aware I haven’t done the best of jobs, especially at some points during the season, but this year is mainly to learn. Of course, the goal is always to go on track and win, but at the same time it’s important to get ready for next year.
“But definitely, if I would race in a junior team, there would be quite a bit less pressure, but as I said before, I’m really happy to have started in Mercedes, because I can learn massively.”
Antonelli is currently seventh in the championship, 108 points off fourth-placed Russell, and has just two points finishes across the last eight grands prix.
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