Former F1 driver and Sky Sports activities co-commentator Martin Brundle says Andrea Kimi Antonelli realized a harsh however invaluable lesson through the “heartbreaking” British Grand Prix.
Championship chief Antonelli suffered one other blow to his hopes of successful his first F1 world title this yr after additional reliability points and a penalty at Silverstone dominated him out.
Antonelli was attempting to meet up with race chief Charles Leclerc on more energizing tires through the remaining stint, however one in every of his wheel shields got here off. The Italian teenager pitted twice for repairs and was handed a five-second time penalty for repeated monitor restrict violations as he struggled to maintain his Mercedes on monitor.
Antonelli was aiming for victory at Silverstone
Antonelli completed ninth underneath the security automotive, however a penalty was utilized and he was excluded from the factors, dropping him to fifteenth within the remaining standings.
Brundle believes Antonelli ought to have been extra clear in speaking details about his automotive’s issues to the Mercedes staff.
Brundle wrote in his column for Sky Sports activities: “It was heartbreaking for him, however one other lesson realized as he didn’t give clear sufficient details about his drawback on the way in which into the pits.”
“The staff changed the simple, quick half with a brand new nostril and entrance wing and new tires and despatched him on, however the problematic bodywork nonetheless hindered his steering, so he needed to pit once more after two laps.
“Kimi held on and was in tenth place, nonetheless inside attain of an essential level, however as soon as once more he discovered a tremendous tempo and saved going.”
Martin Brundle at Silverstone
©XPB Photos
The consequence means Antonelli is now simply 25 factors behind Mercedes teammate George Russell and 32 factors behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes in the end determined to not make any try and overturn Antonelli’s monitor restrict penalty after the race, however Brundle believes the foundations should be tweaked to keep away from a recurrence sooner or later.
“Nevertheless, his issues prompted him to go off the monitor 5 instances and obtain a five-second penalty on account of ‘monitor limits,'” Brundle continued.
“The foundations should be adjusted, and monitor restrict penalties are supposed to permit drivers to achieve a aggressive benefit by chopping corners or driving extensive, permitting them to go sooner.”
“It should not be utilized if you’re attempting to recover from a mechanical drawback or get out of the way in which.”
