Kimi Antonelli has revealed that Mercedes are doing all it can to avoid any "bad surprises" at next month's Australian Grand Prix. The team's teenage sensation has been adjusting to life as a full-time F1 driver, which has included being involved in team building exercises with the Brackley-based outfit. There is immense pressure on Antonelli's shoulders, not only because he is taking Lewis Hamilton's seat but also due to how quickly he has progressed to the pinnacle of motorsport. It was only in 2023 that Antonelli won the Formula Regional European Championship, before skipping Formula 3 to compete in Formula 2. With Hamilton having departed, the upcoming season marks a fresh start for Mercedes with Antonelli and George Russell. The current regulations have been hugely difficult for the Silver Arrows, despite claiming three victories last year. Mercedes' hope will be that it can enjoy a strong end to the current regulations, before the new power unit regulations are introduced next year. Antonelli has been put through his paces ahead of his rookie season, as explained by the young Italian. "It's been quite interesting, the winter preparation has been quite intense," Antonelli told select media including RacingNews365 . "I've been spending a lot of time at the factory, doing a lot of team building as well. So far, it's been really interesting, and it's gone well. "I've been really trying to focus, day by day, focusing on the progress, and trying to focus on trying to learn as many things as possible, because what they want to avoid is arriving to Melbourne and having some bad surprises. "So definitely, preparation is being quite intense, but so far, it's been very good."
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