Kimi Antonelli: Mercedes Driver reveals what Toto Wolff told him after public critic “ disappointing '' | F1 News

Kimi Antonelli admits that he understood why Toto Wolff described his Italian Grand Prix as “disappointing” and says that he will use the criticism of his Mercedes boss as “fuel” to improve in Baku this weekend.

The first full weekend of the Antonelli Grand Prix at F1 in Monza in Monza was finally disappointing on the right track, when he finished ninth in the sixth on the grid, and ended with Wolff, Mercedes team director, publicly expressing frustration With the performance of the 19 -year -old Italian.

Antonelli had also failed his car for the second successive training on Friday, losing a precious time of preparation for the race.

Asked about Wolff's comments for the first time before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, Antonelli said he agreed with the evaluation of his team's bosses.

“Well, I think I understand about his commentary,” said Antonelli.

“You know, me and Toto are always very open with each other, and we are talking very openly.

“I think it was mainly racing. The qualifications were actually quite good, despite the deactivation of FP2. But then in the race, especially on the hard tire, I had a little trouble. In addition, I made a mistake at the beginning. So I think it was mainly linked to the race, which agreed was not the best.

“But I took it positively – as fuel to do even better for this weekend.”

What did Wolff told Antonelli that he wanted to see him?

After a start of F1 career in Mercedes, which included the six tops in five of his first six races and an impressive Sprint post in Miami, Antonelli has fought for results in Mercedes W16 car in recent months.

Ninth place in Italy and a 10th place in Hungary are its only terms of paid points in the six laps since its first podium in Canada.

Asked what Wolff had told him that he wanted to see him going ahead with eight races this season, Antonelli said: “The conversation was quite clear: he just wants me to spend a clean weekend to find the momentum I had.

“For example, in the first seven races of the season, because the European season has been quite difficult, and now I really look forward to the last part of the season outside Europe – it's always a little quieter and I have a little more time for me.

“I can't wait to clean up the weekends and recover the momentum, and that's what the team wants.”

Sky Sports F1 GP schedule in Azerbaijan

Friday September 19
6:55 am: F2 Practical
9 am: Azerbaijan GP practice one (the session starts at 9:30 am) *
10:55 am: Qualification F2
11:40 am: Press conference for team directors
12:45 p.m.: Azerbaijan GP Practice two (the session starts at 1 p.m.) *
2:15 p.m.: The show F1 *

Saturday September 20
9:15 am: Azerbaijan GP practices three (the session starts at 9:30 am)
11:10 am: F2 Sprint Race
12:15 p.m.: Azerbaijan GP Qualification Construction
1 p.m.: Azerbaijan GP Qualify
3 p.m.: Ted's qualification book

Sunday September 21
7:55 am: F2 functionality breed
10:30 am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbai GP Build-Up *
12 noon: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix *
2 p.m.: Damy flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction
3 p.m.: Ted notebook

* Live on the main event of Sky Sports

Formula 1 goes to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – no contract, cancel at any time