Antonelli explains how he will approach Monza differently to his first home race in Imola

Kimi Antonelli has outlined the difference in approach that he is taking for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix in comparison to his previous home event earlier in the year at Imola, with the Mercedes driver admitting that he feels “much more prepared” this time around.

Antonelli experienced a busy few days at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix back in May, having brought his school class along to the paddock at the beginning of the event. On the track, the Italian did not manage to reach Q3 in Saturday’s Qualifying and then suffered a retirement owing to a technical problem in Sunday’s race.

At the time, Antonelli stated that he “didn't manage things the best” – particularly in terms of saving energy for the driving – but the 19-year-old is confident that he will be able to get more from his performance at Monza.

“For sure. I will be much more prepared, and definitely I know much better what to expect,” Antonelli explained during Thursday’s media day.

“I know much better how I need to move around and how I need to behave during the race weekend in order to be able to be 100 per cent every time I go in the car.”

Pushed on what he learned from his first home race at Imola ahead of his second this weekend, the rookie answered: “Obviously it was my first home race and there was a lot going [on] around, especially outside the track.

“I think also on my side I didn’t manage energy the best way. I was going back in the car and not feeling 100 per cent, also focus-wise. I feel like on that side I will know much better how to react and how to behave, so I think that is going to be the main learning.

“Also trying to manage my energy the best way possible throughout the whole weekend, but obviously you start the weekend and then as you arrive to Sunday you have a bit less energy overall.

“The most important is that you arrive with the most amount of energy. I remember being in Imola and already from the Saturday I was pretty tired, so definitely that was a big learning and I don’t want that to happen again.”

While Antonelli has not raced in a Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monza before, the Italian did make his FP1 debut at the track last year on the same weekend in which he was announced as a Mercedes driver for 2025.

The practice outing did not end well for the teenager after crashing into the barriers shortly into the session, meaning that he arrives into this event with mixed emotions.

“A lot of things have happened [in the past year],” Antonelli reflected. “I have good memories but also really bad memories here, but it’s a really special place and I think it’s going to be a special weekend.

“It’s not just my second home race, but this is where it all started with the announcement, so that’s why it’s going to be a very special one. It’s been very intense ever since, but so far it’s gone quite okay.”

And in terms of what Mercedes might be able to achieve at Monza, the Italian said: “It’s always tough to say, because the cars are getting closer and closer. Last year, looking at the result especially in Qualifying, they were up there.

“This year it’s been a bit of a trend that the car, where it’s been good last year, was also quite good this year, so hopefully it’s going to be the same but we never know.”