Mercedes said Antonelli was not expected to repeat Monza-style recovery in Baku
Kimi Antonelli endured his toughest Formula 1 weekend of the season in Baku, where he recovered to fifth after losing track time because of a technical issue. Mercedes said it never expected a repeat of his charge from 19th to victory at Monza.
Multiple reports described Baku as Antonelli’s most difficult weekend of the season so far. Although he fought back to finish fifth, that recovery was portrayed as far less dramatic than his Italian Grand Prix result.
At Monza three weeks earlier, Antonelli started 19th after taking an engine penalty and went on to win his home race. In Azerbaijan, however, Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord said the team was not expecting a similar "Monza 2.0" comeback.
One factor highlighted was a technical issue that cost Antonelli track time in Baku. According to the reports, that weekend was not the moment for an all-out attack, making his climb back to fifth a more restrained recovery drive.
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