Overview
- Mercedes introduced a revised rear-suspension geometry at Imola to tackle low-speed and rear-tyre issues, but it produced rear instability that hampered Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
- George Russell adapted better to the change, while Antonelli lost confidence and described falling into a negative spiral.
- Antonelli estimates the mid-season episode set back his development by two or three months during his first year in Formula 1.
- After a post-Monza reset and a move back toward the earlier suspension around Hungary, his results improved with consistent points and podiums in São Paulo and Las Vegas.
- Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin says Antonelli is now a more rounded driver with notable gains in qualifying, and his season also featured an earlier podium in Canada.