Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli suffered a blow in his first appearance for the team in practice as he crashed heavily after just five laps.
Antonelli, who turned 18 five days ago, climbed unaided from the W15 after he spun into the barrier at Alboreto, the corner formerly known as Parabolica.He had already participated in the Formula 2 practice session at the track earlier that day. His first F1 run in George Russell’s car began well as he set the quickest time with his first run on soft tyres. He was on course to improve that time when the crash occured at the final corner.
The W15 broke into a spin after Antonelli turned into the right-hander, which is normally taken at up to 200kph. He hit the tyre barrier on the outside of the corner with the right-hand side of his car, causing significant damage and leading to the session begin red-flagged immediately. Antonelli was taken to the circuit’s medical centre for precautionary checks.
Mercedes later confirmed part of Antonelli’s run had been aimed at comparing the performance of their latest specification floor, introduced at Spa, on his car, and the older version on the other W15 driven by Lewis Hamilton. The team’s technical director James Allison admitted before the race weekend began they are still unsure about the new car’s performance after their drivers complained about their handling at the last race in Zandvoort, where they finished a lowly seventh and eighth. Mercedes intend to continue evaluating the different floors in second practice when Russell returns to his car.
Antonelli’s first practice run was the subject of huge interest as Mercedes are widely expected to confirm him as their choice of replacement for the Ferrari-bound Hamilton next year. In addition to the usual FOM camera operators, additional crews from Netflix’s Drive to Survive series and a documentary team filming for Sky were present in the Mercedes garage.
This article will be updated
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sumedh
30th August 2024, 14:23
Sky is making a documentary?
Too much pressure on a 18 year old!
Kribana (@krichelle)
30th August 2024, 14:25
Same as Lewis on his first day in 2013 I think. But this one, he was pushing when he did not need to, and he was running the new floor.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
30th August 2024, 15:02
Yes, and 2013 is very far from hamilton’s debut, who was great that year.
SteveP
30th August 2024, 15:52
Can’t recall, and the stats all show Vettel winning in Adrian’s 2013 creation.
Alonso did a runner-up job in a Ferrari, but I don’t recall that being close.
MichaelN
30th August 2024, 17:08
It was quite close until mid-season, especially when one considers Alonso lost a lot of points in Malaysia and Bahrain, but after the Pirelli fiasco in England Red Bull and Vettel were untouchable.
Nick T.
30th August 2024, 20:26
They said he wasn’t running a new floor, but he did have George’s new engine.
I don’t care that he crashed after 5 laps. He looked exciting. Colapinto looked solid for a driver who knows he absolutely cannot crash Williams’ car.
Pristine
30th August 2024, 14:32
Why Toto is not even trying Mick? Is he that bad? He is doing lot of set up work. It is worth a shot.
MichaelN
30th August 2024, 17:16
Mick Schumacher has driven far more than the maximum of two Grand Prix allowed for this FP1 substitution.
Nick T.
30th August 2024, 20:27
Why would he try Mick? I don’t get what you’re talking about.
Asd
30th August 2024, 21:29
Why Toto is not even trying Mick?
– Because Mick is garbage and a has-been.
Is he that bad?
– Worse.
He is doing lot of set up work.
– Cool story, bro. I’m doing a lot of set up work too.
It is worth a shot.
– Of vodka.
Dex
30th August 2024, 21:47
Grow up. I can’t think of anything else to say…
Nick T.
31st August 2024, 1:26
Says the pro-Z guy.
Giving Mick seat time, who showed average promise at best, makes sense in no universe. I like Mick, but if it weren’t for all his dad’s friends, he wouldn’t even have a job as a sim driver.
Rodrigo Herculano
30th August 2024, 14:37
George was like: “Boy, that won’t buff out”