Source: Official Team Post via X
Mercedes Identifies Brake Issue Behind Kimi Antonelli's Singapore GP Drama
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli experienced brake issues during the Singapore GP, attributed to heat soak. Despite challenges, Antonelli extended his championship lead with a podium finish.
Kimi Antonelli's Singapore Grand Prix was anything but straightforward, as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff explained that the Italian driver's brake scare was due to heat soak. Despite the hiccup, Antonelli extended his championship lead over teammate George Russell to 102 points by finishing third.
Before the race began, Antonelli's W17 needed attention on the grid due to a brake sensor issue. During a Virtual Safety Car period on Lap 40, while in fifth, Antonelli reported he "had no brakes" and ran wide at Turn 7, earning a track limits warning. His race engineer, Peter Bonnington, suggested the issue was heat soak, which Wolff confirmed after the race.
Earlier, Antonelli had noticed a liquid leak in the cockpit, with Wolff speculating it might have been the drink bottle. "The liquid, we don’t know [the reason]," Wolff said. "We suspect it was the drink bottle that went there, or he had a leak. But he should have known that if it was the case."
Antonelli attributed some of his brake difficulties to the sensor issue from the reconnaissance lap and following Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari closely in the race's opening stages. Describing his approach to managing the problem, Antonelli said, "Well, just trying to lift and coast before every braking and to arrive a bit slower and put less pressure on the pedal, because especially on the restart of the VSC, when I went to brake, nothing happened. I had really poor stopping, brake power and I almost went into the wall."
The Italian driver navigated these challenges to capitalize on Lando Norris's deep run at Turn 1, overtaking both Norris and Hamilton to secure his 14th podium of the season. "It was a very tough race out there, but really happy with the podium at the end," Antonelli said. "I managed to take advantage of the fight of Lando and Lewis and to make the move on both, and to bring home P3 is a great result for the team. Very happy with that." With the championship possibly in sight next time out in Austin, it's clear Antonelli's tenacity is as strong as ever.