Overview

• Technical director James Allison publicly linked Antonelli’s cautious approach this season to his FP1 crash at Monza, admitting the incident may have hampered his confidence.
• Communications director Bradley Lord detailed a support plan focused on time with engineers, mastering car processes and prioritizing learning over short-term results.
• Mercedes confirmed the W16 lost performance after an Imola upgrade was withdrawn and has become sensitive to track temperature, undermining driver pace and confidence.
• Lewis Hamilton has continued offering advice and encouragement to Antonelli despite his switch to Ferrari, a mentorship Mercedes describes as entirely in character.
• Team principal Toto Wolff reiterated that Antonelli remains central to Mercedes’ future even as his contract approaches its end of season expiry.