Kimi Antonelli Cautions Against High Mercedes Expectations for Las Vegas GP

Despite expressing high hopes for Mercedes at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli warned that the W16 is a "different car" compared to its predecessor, tempering expectations for a repeat of last year's dominant performance. Mercedes secured a one-two finish in Las Vegas in 2023, but Antonelli suggests that changes to the car mean past success doesn't guarantee future results.

Why it matters:

Mercedes' strong performance in cool conditions at last year's Las Vegas GP was a major highlight, but the team's current W16 has proven less consistent. Antonelli's caution underscores the uncertainty facing Mercedes as they aim to capitalize on a track that previously suited their car, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a competitive edge with evolving regulations and vehicle designs.

The details:

• Last year, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton delivered a dominant one-two finish for Mercedes at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with both drivers topping qualifying sessions.
• The W15's characteristic preference for cool conditions perfectly suited the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, allowing it to perform strongly while rivals like McLaren struggled.
• Antonelli acknowledges that the 2025 Mercedes car retains some of the characteristics that contributed to its 2023 success in Nevada.
• However, he emphasizes that the W16 is a "different car" with many changes, meaning last year's speed does not automatically translate to similar performance this season.
• Antonelli, who recently finished second in both the sprint and grand prix in Brazil, is keen to build on his strong form.
• He stated that the team will "try to do everything that we did last year with the car," but stressed the car's evolution makes a direct comparison difficult.

Looking Ahead:

While Antonelli and the Mercedes team are committed to maximizing their performance, his comments indicate a realistic approach to the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. The focus will be on optimizing the W16 for the specific conditions, rather than relying on the past success of a different car.

• Mercedes will undoubtedly work to put the car "in the best spot possible" to replicate their previous triumph.
• Antonelli, as a driver, is focused on delivering his "best performance possible" to contribute to the team's efforts.
• The true test will be how effectively the team adapts the W16 to the unique demands of the Las Vegas street circuit, despite its differences from the dominant W15.