‘It was the best start we could have wished for’ – Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli celebrated a hard-fought second-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix, capping off what he described as a "rollercoaster weekend" for Mercedes. The young Italian driver endured a challenging start to the season, including a significant crash in FP3 that nearly jeopardized his qualifying, and a frustrating opening lap in the race itself where a battery issue and wheel spin caused him to drop positions. Despite the early setbacks, Antonelli showcased strong pace, meticulously working his way back through the field. Mercedes' strategic prowess further aided his recovery, allowing him to finish ahead of the Ferraris and secure a P2 behind his teammate George Russell. Antonelli expressed immense gratitude to his team for their monumental effort in repairing his car after the FP3 incident, enabling him to compete and achieve such a promising result.