News Summary
- Antonelli started 16th and finished fifth after crashing during qualifying in Baku.
- The championship leader told a press conference attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO that he drove cautiously and checked each overtaking opportunity before committing.
- Contact with Oliver Bearman damaged the left side of his Mercedes floor, leaving the car difficult to drive.
Kimi Antonelli said he drove “like my grandmother” during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as he tried to bring his Mercedes home after a difficult weekend in Baku. Speaking at a post-race press conference attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO, the championship leader explained why his recovery from 16th on the grid to fifth was more cautious than his charge through the field to win at Monza earlier in September.
Antonelli’s preparation had already been disrupted by a hydraulic problem that cost him running in first practice. In qualifying, he hit the inside wall at Turn 1 during Q1 and could not continue. His existing lap time was sufficient for 16th on the grid, but the mistake left him with less confidence for Saturday’s race.
“I was driving a bit like my grandmother today, just damage save mode,” Antonelli said. “I didn’t take risks. Before making a move, I was making sure that I could go for it.”
The approach meant Antonelli made gradual progress rather than forcing passes through the field. He reached the points after starting near the back, while teammate George Russell controlled the race from pole position. Safety Car periods then brought the pack together, giving Antonelli further opportunities to gain places.
At a restart, Antonelli made contact with Haas driver Oliver Bearman. The impact damaged the left side of the Mercedes floor and made an already difficult race harder to manage. Antonelli said he continued to pursue fourth place despite the change in the car’s handling.
“After the restart, I had big floor damage. My whole left side was gone with the contact,” Antonelli said. He described the car as unstable afterwards and said fifth was a result he had to accept, despite trying to gain another position.
Antonelli’s account adds detail to his assessment that Baku had been his worst weekend of the season. He finished fifth behind Russell, Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar and Charles Leclerc. Russell’s victory cut Antonelli’s Drivers’ Championship lead to 66 points.
The Mercedes drivers return to action at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on October 2–4. The race will take place at Sepang.
F1 today: FAQ
Is Fernando Alonso staying at Aston Martin in 2027?
Yes. Aston Martin confirmed that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have extended their contracts and will continue with the team beyond 2026. The announcement secures Alonso’s place on the 2027 grid.
Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas, and who will replace him?
Ocon will leave Haas at the end of 2026. Rafael Câmara is a reported favourite, but the team has not announced a replacement; Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan and Ryō Hirakawa have also been evaluated.
How old is Kimi Antonelli?
Kimi Antonelli is 20 years old. The Mercedes F1 driver was born on 25 August 2006.
Why did Kimi Antonelli say he drove “like my grandmother” in Baku?
Antonelli said he avoided risky moves while recovering from 16th on the grid. He had crashed in qualifying, and contact during the race subsequently damaged his car.
