Formula 1 driver Antonelli calls Azerbaijan round worst of season — Channel NewsAsia

Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on September 26 and called the weekend the worst of his season. Channel NewsAsia reported this, citing Reuters.

Problems from practice to the race

The 20-year-old Italian's weekend began with a hydraulics problem during practice on Thursday. Later, Antonelli made a mistake in qualifying, which meant he started from 16th position.

In the race, the driver gained 11 places, but said he felt one step behind throughout the weekend. According to Antonelli, the qualifying mistake also affected his confidence. He called this weekend undoubtedly the worst of the season.

Antonelli said he approached the race with the aim of minimizing losses. He was also slowed by contact with a Haas car.

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Russell reduces the gap

Antonelli's Mercedes teammate George Russell claimed his third victory of the season. This reduced his gap to the championship leader from 81 to 66 points.

Before the Baku round, Antonelli, who has won eight races this year, was aiming for a third consecutive victory. At the beginning of September, at his home Italian Grand Prix, he fought his way from 19th place to first, but in Baku his recovery through the field was gradual.

The Italian said the weekend gave him important experience and expressed his intention to return to the proper level at the next round in Malaysia. Antonelli could become the first Italian to win the Formula 1 championship title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.