World championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli admitted that his performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix felt as if he were "driving like his grandmother," a comment he made to explain the cautious approach he took around the demanding Baku City Circuit. The 20‑year‑old Italian, who entered the weekend as the points leader, had to battle back from a 16th‑place start after a qualifying crash, eventually clawing his way up to finish fifth. Despite the strong recovery, his lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell narrowed to 66 points after Russell secured the race win. Antonelli has built a remarkable points cushion through a series of consistent finishes, yet the Baku weekend proved tricky.
Technical difficulties limited his time in the practice sessions, leaving him without a full set of data to optimise the car’s setup. "I was driving a bit like my grandmother today, just in damage‑save mode," he said.
"I wasn’t taking any chances. Before I attempted a move, I made sure I could actually pull it off." The young driver’s cautious mindset was evident from the start. After dropping a position off the grid, he spent the first 17 laps methodically working his way back into the top ten. The Baku circuit, with its long straights and tight, twisty sections, demands a delicate balance between aggression and restraint, and Antonelli found himself on the defensive for much of the race.
He capitalised on mistakes made by drivers ahead, gradually climbing the order. A key moment came during the first of two rolling restarts following a safety‑car period, when a three‑car incident eliminated several rivals. Antonelli managed to avoid the chaos, though he did make contact with Oliver Bearman’s Haas, sustaining noticeable damage to the left side of his car.
"After the restart, I had big floor damage. My whole left side was gone with the contact," Antonelli explained. "The car became very sketchy to drive, but I still tried to push for P4. In the end, it was one of those days where you have to be happy with P5.
Seeing so many people making mistakes, I pulled back a little and simply took advantage of their errors to move forward." Reflecting on his performance, Antonelli compared the Baku race to his triumph at Monza earlier in the season, where he started 19th and won his home Grand Prix. "If I had the same pace as at Monza or in previous races, it would have been different," he said. "It would have been a full‑on attack. But early on I realised overtaking was far tougher with a train of cars all in Overtake Mode, and I didn’t have the same speed I’d enjoyed before, so my mindset changed quickly." The race also highlighted Russell’s resurgence.
The Mercedes driver delivered his most complete weekend since the season opener in Australia, taking a dominant victory that was only slightly tempered by safety‑car interruptions. His strong showing further tightened the championship battle, although Antonelli remains the favorite to retain his title, especially as Russell faces a potential grid penalty for an engine change later in the year.
Looking ahead, Antonelli does not have to wait long for his next opportunity to score points. The calendar moves on to a triple‑header finale, with the Bahrain Grand Prix – now staged at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia due to the ongoing Middle East conflict – set for the following weekend.
Antonelli expressed optimism despite the setback in Baku. "It’s exciting," he told Sky Sports F1. "George had an incredible weekend, he drove brilliantly and was full of confidence.
This weekend was my worst of the year by far in terms of performance. I wasn’t there, I wasn’t really present, especially with what happened so early on." The shift to Malaysia marks the first time Formula 1 has visited the country since 2017, and the event promises to be a critical test for both title contenders. With the championship still wide open, Antonelli’s ability to adapt his driving style – from the aggressive, risk‑taking approach that won him Monza to the more measured, damage‑avoidance strategy he employed in Baku – will be under close scrutiny.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see whether he can regain the confidence that eluded him in Azerbaijan and re‑establish the pace that has kept him atop the standings throughout the season. In summary, Antonelli’s candid admission of driving "like his grandmother" underscores the challenges he faced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Technical setbacks, a compromised car, and a circuit that punishes even minor mistakes forced him into a defensive mode. Nevertheless, his ability to recover to fifth place demonstrates resilience and strategic acumen.
As the championship moves to Sepang, the young Italian will aim to translate that resilience into a more assertive performance, hoping to extend his lead and keep the title within reach.