Kimi Antonelli’s Q1 Elimination – Did Mercedes’ Strategy Fail?- exclusive story

-by Dr. AK Rana

Kimi Antonelli’s first F1 qualifying session ended in disappointment, and Mercedes’ strategy team is largely to blame.

After building his confidence on soft tires throughout practice, they suddenly switched to mediums in Q1—a baffling decision when every other team stuck with softs.

Sure, George Russell, an experienced driver, might have managed the change. But what about Antonelli, a rookie still adapting to the car and F1’s high-pressure environment?

After Practice 2, Antonelli was optimistic,

saying in an interview:

“I am getting more and more confident with every lap and with the car. I will be doing great, I think.”

He was finally getting comfortable, but Mercedes’ gamble threw him off. In Practice 1, he had already struggled on mediums, while his performance on soft tyres,

in Practice 2 had been impressive.

So why make this risky move? Were they only considering Russell’s perspective?

Realizing that mediums were ruining his qualifying, Antonelli rushed back to the pits for softs. But the time lost added pressure, and in his haste to put in a lap, he ran into the gravel, damaging his car’s floor. That ultimately sealed his fate—eliminated in Q1.

The most heartbreaking moment?

Hearing him ask his engineer,

“Did we make it through?”—and receiving only silence in response.

It’s his first qualifying session, so there’s no need for panic. But decisions like these can shake a young driver’s confidence. Mercedes must ensure their strategies support both drivers—one with years of experience and one just beginning his journey.