Antonelli pleased with P6 Barcelona qualifying despite tyre limitation

Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered a strong performance in Spanish Grand Prix qualifying, securing sixth place on the grid as Mercedes showed improved form after recent challenging weekends. The Italian driver navigated the sessions effectively to reach Q3 alongside teammate George Russell, who qualified fourth. For Antonelli, the result marked a significant turnaround following difficult outings in Imola and Monaco. He expressed satisfaction with regaining his rhythm on the Circuit de Catalunyaes, noting that he built confidence throughout the qualifying session, improving his speed lap after lap. Despite his positive progress, Antonelli highlighted a limitation in the crucial Q3 segment. He had only one set of fresh soft tyres available for his final run, which he felt restricted his ability to push to the absolute limit and potentially find the last few tenths. Nevertheless, he viewed P6 as a commendable outcome given this constraint and his earlier weekend performance. His teammate, George Russell, also put in a strong showing, setting a lap time identical to Max Verstappen's. However, the reigning champion will start third, one position ahead of Russell, having posted his time marginally earlier. Antonelli's sixth place means the young driver will line up directly between the two Ferraris on the third row. Looking ahead to the race, Antonelli anticipates a demanding afternoon, particularly concerning tyre management. With high temperatures expected at the Barcelona circuit, preserving the Pirelli rubber will be a significant challenge for all competitors. He revealed that Mercedes had deliberately focused on their long-run pace during practice sessions, recognizing this as a key area for improvement. The race will serve as a crucial test of the progress made in this regard, and Antonelli remains hopeful that Mercedes can demonstrate a competitive performance and effectively manage their tyres over the race distance.