Mercedes works on 'fundamental' fix for Antonelli's start issues

Mercedes is urgently working to solve a "fundamental" launch problem plaguing rookie Kimi Antonelli, an issue the driver says is rooted in his clutch technique and hand positioning rather than a new FIA rule tweak. Despite starting from the front row in all four races this season, including the Chinese GP Sprint, Antonelli has consistently lost positions off the line, a problem also noted with teammate George Russell.

Why it matters:

Reliable race starts are critical for converting qualifying pace into race results, especially for a highly-touted rookie like Antonelli who needs to build confidence and score points. For Mercedes, solving this recurring weakness is essential to maximize their car's performance and support both drivers in the tight midfield battle, where track position is paramount.

The details:

• Antonelli revealed the issue is specific to his interaction with the car, stating the recent FIA procedural change for the Miami GP—which allows the MGU-K to provide a power boost after a poor launch—won't significantly help his situation.
• The team has identified the core problem during analysis and practice starts over the recent break. The fix requires physical changes to the clutch paddle setup and adjustments to Antonelli's hand positioning in the cockpit.
• Antonelli acknowledged the solution is "not going to be that straightforward," as it involves modifying equipment and adapting muscle memory, but emphasized the team is working to implement a fix as soon as possible.

What's next:

The immediate focus is on making progress for the Miami Grand Prix, though a complete solution may take more time. With another break following Miami, the team will have a dedicated period to work on and test the modifications. Successfully resolving this fundamental flaw will be key to unlocking Antonelli's full potential and ensuring Mercedes capitalizes on its qualifying speed.

summary: Mercedes is developing a hardware and driver technique solution to fix Kimi Antonelli's chronic poor race starts, a problem the rookie calls "fundamental" and unrelated to a new FIA launch-assist rule. The team aims for progress in Miami with a more complete fix targeted for after the race.