Kimi Antonelli downplays heroics repeat after rare F1 crash error

Kimi Antonelli has downplayed his chances of repeating his Italian Grand Prix heroics after his costly qualifying accident at the Azerbaijan GP.

Antonelli will start 16th in Baku after clipping a wall during Q1 and causing suspension damage to the Mercedes as he was forced to pull off and did not take part in Q2.

It leaves the Italian mired in the pack for the race start in Azerbaijan, with team-mate George Russell on pole and looking to eat into the 81-point deficit he faces to the 20-year-old, who recently stormed from 19th on the grid at Monza to take a famous victory.

In winning from 19th, Antonelli became the first driver since Bill Vukovich at the 1954 Indy 500 to win from that position, and only one driver has ever won from further back, John Watson at the 1983 USA West GP, from 22nd.

However, Antonelli did not feel a repeat charge was on the cards, as "it is harder to overtake" in Baku than at Monza.

"[I will try to get a good start, stay out of trouble, and try to set a really good pace," Antonelli told media, including RacingNews365. 

"Obviously, it is going to be harder than Monza, because it is harder to overtake here, but I still believe we can do a good race. 

"The car has been very strong, and George has been doing an incredible job this weekend. He has been feeling very good with the car, so he has made the difference. I have to be honest about that, but the car has been very quick. 

"I have nothing to lose, and I just need to do the best race I can. 

"For sure, at the start, I am going to stay out of trouble, but then after that, it is head down."

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Antonelli's growing experience

When then asked how he had grown in getting used to setbacks, after his infamous 2024 Italian GP FP1 crash, Antonelli spoke of his maturing. 

"With experience, you learn how to move forward, and this weekend has been a bit off with everything, but [in the race], I think we can have a good [performance]," he said.