Kimi Antonelli reveals Mercedes 'caution' after nightmare memory

Kimi Antonelli revealed that Mercedes were "too cautious" in deciding when to switch to slick tyres in the Belgian Grand Prix, but it was due to wanting to avoid a repeat of its Silverstone nightmare. 

In the British Grand Prix, Mercedes got its strategy all wrong in the wet conditions, with Antonelli having, ultimately, retired from the race due to being hit by Isack Hadjar in the midfield. 

Following a Q1 exit in Spa-Francorchamps and a power unit change, Antonelli started at the back in what was initially very wet conditions.

The race was red-flagged due to poor visibility on the formation lap, before resuming 80 minutes later after four laps behind the safety car. All drivers had been on intermediates, but all switched to slicks in the opening stages due to a rapidly drying circuit. 

Antonelli had been eager to make an early switch to slicks to gain an advantage, something which worked for Lewis Hamilton who gained several positions. However, Mercedes opted to play it safe,  a decision the teenager understood. 

Any hopes for a surge through the field were ended when the circuit dried, as Antonelli's large rear wing hurt his top speed along the straights, resulting in P16.

"Well, the car felt better with a bigger wing," Antonelli told select media, including RacingNews365. "I felt much better in places where I was struggling a lot. 

"Yeah, it was just a shame because, obviously, with the delayed start, it turned out it was a dry race pretty quickly. We couldn't really use the bigger wing, because despite being much quicker in the corners than in the straights, it was really hard to keep up. 

"And it was a shame, because the only opportunity I had to pass Ocon, I went a little bit wide, and I [touched] a wet patch, and then just had no grip and he made the switch back. And then after that, the tyre was starting to suffer, and I just couldn't get the run.

"But, still it's learning, difficult conditions. Also, I tried to call quite early the switch. But because of Silverstone as well, we probably were a bit too cautious on that, we wanted to wait a bit more.

"And I think that's where we lost some positions as well. But on the other hand, I think driving wise it was better this race and and I just need to keep working for qualifying."