Kimi Antonelli suffers heartbreak on F1 Imola GP debut
The Mercedes star, 18, also admitted that he was overcome by all the attention on his F1 bow in Italy
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli was forced to retire from his first F1 race around his home circuit after his Mercedes had a throttle failure.
The Italian pulled to he side on lap 46 when he was running in eighth place, having made up from 13th on the grid.
Antonelli, who has otherwise impressed this season, also admitted he was overcome by the occasion of competing in his home race for the first time in F1.
He said: "After two or three laps [after the VSC], I started to have the issue with the throttle... then unfortunately it went off completely."
He later added: “I was losing power, and sometimes the sensor was going crazy, so it's a shame but these are things that can happen, and for sure without the problem, the pace would have been much better.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“But I need to still work on my driving, to see where I can improve, and also to improve the race pace, especially with the hot temperature, because I think when it's cold, the pace is really good, it's much better, and also for me it's much easier to manage the tyre, and I need to still work on it when it's hot.”
Antonelli has been mobbed by well-wishers this weekend, as the Italian fans welcomed their countryman to F1.
However, the 18-year-old, who grew up in nearby Bologna, admits that he was overwhelmed by all the attention on him.
He added: “It probably was the worst [weekend] in terms of performance. I’ll try to recover well and be back stronger in Monaco.
“I mean, I absolutely love the support of the fans. I just think on my side I didn't manage the energy that well, and that compromised definitely the performance on track. But it was a really good lesson, because I could feel it.
“I was not as relaxed, I was a bit more tense while driving. So, you know, ahead of the next home race, it was a really good lesson.
“Of course, the pace is still not where we want, but overall, the most positive thing was the support from the fans. I think that was incredible. I could really feel the support, despite the difficult moments.”
Photos from Imola GP - Race
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
Share Or Save This Story
Top Comments
Jacques Villeneuve accuses McLaren of being weak
Frustrated Charles Leclerc “cannot accept” the situation at Ferrari
“Win it or bin it”: How Max Verstappen won Red Bull’s 400th race in F1
George Russell blasts Mercedes as being “dead slow” after wilting in Imola disappointment
Mercedes has found “another proof” of Kimi Antonelli’s talent – but needs more
Why Mercedes has been struggling – relatively – in F1 2025
Why is Toto Wolff absent from the Imola Grand Prix?
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell blast FIA president’s swearing ban U-turn
Deja Lew - Hamilton poised for welcome reception in Imola despite early struggles
Alpine, FIA condemn online abuse of Tsunoda at F1 Imola GP
McLaren: Imola is a missed chance that goes beyond the strategy topic
F1 inks deal with Disney for Mickey Mouse merchandise
NASCAR's longest race to feature full field of 40 cars for the Coke 600
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
