Kimi Antonelli Wants Mercedes to Improve in Austin

Kimi Antonelli is hoping that Mercedes can unlock more performance from its upgraded car at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin. The Italian finished third in Singapore and believes that the team can make further progress by understanding how to get the most out of its latest aerodynamic package.

Mercedes split its drivers between two specifications in Singapore, allowing engineers to compare the updated car with the older version of it. Antonelli used the newer package, while George Russell ran the previous specification. The team gathered valuable information, but finding the right setup remains crucial to making the upgrades consistently effective.

Austin will provide another opportunity to test the improvements, with both drivers expected to use the latest package. Antonelli thinks that it is important to experiment during the three practice sessions, as the data collected could also influence Mercedes’ development direction for 2027.

The weekend could be especially significant for Antonelli, who arrives as a leader in the championship by 102 points over Russell. He has a mathematical chance to secure the title in Austin, although he would need to win and rely on results from his closest rivals. For now, his priority is helping Mercedes extract the car’s full potential.