Antonelli hopes Mercedes can run matching specs in Austin

After qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli said he would ideally like Mercedes to run both cars in the same specification in Austin, allowing the team to test different things with each. He said the package had improved the car in some areas but also changed its operating window; he believes Mercedes can exploit its potential once it finds the right one.

Mercedes used two specifications in Singapore after struggling to understand the developments introduced at Sepang: Antonelli kept the new parts, while George Russell reverted to the old package. In Sprint Qualifying, Russell was second and Antonelli seventh, more than half a second behind.

In the Sprint, Russell crashed out of the lead on the first lap, while Antonelli finished fourth. Mercedes then made set-up changes to Antonelli’s car for the main qualifying session. Antonelli qualified fourth for Sunday’s Grand Prix, with Russell sixth. Antonelli said the car felt better after the changes, although its operating window remained very small in qualifying.

Antonelli expects the return to a normal race-weekend format in Austin to give Mercedes more opportunities to try things out.