F1 | Another test for Antonelli: he will ride in Barcelona with the W13

Adrea Kimi Antonelli’s preparation work continues on a Formula 1 car, with the Italian taking to the track in Barcelona next week. Like other teams, Mercedes has also made a private test program available to the young talents of its academy aimed at allowing them to accumulate experience in a top series car.

For Oscar Piastri it was a crucial aspect in his approach to F1 and Mercedes wants to guarantee the Italian driver, on whom it has bet significantly in recent years, the same opportunities while waiting for him to conclude his first season in Formula 2. It is not It’s a mystery that Antonelli’s name is on Toto Wolff’s notebook as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton for 2025, one of the reasons why the Stuttgart team itself is in no hurry to choose who will take the Briton’s place. However, it is logical that it is also necessary to provide the right tools to continue the growth path.

In addition to the simulator work at Brackley, Antonelli began his track testing program in the middle of last April, when he tested a 2021 Mercedes W12 as part of tests on single-seaters that have at least two seasons under their belt. After this we moved on to a double day in Imola, but on that occasion he tested a ground effect car for the first time, the first of the regulatory cycle which debuted in 2022, namely the difficult W13.

Another test session followed in May on the British track of Silverstone, where Mick Schumacher and George Russell also took part, who however followed different programs on different days. Even for Schumacher himself, who accompanies the team’s work on the simulator on some race weekends during the season, it is essential to have a comparison between the sensations of the virtual car with the physical one directly on the track. For this reason, the teams that have the possibility, such as Ferrari and Alpine, plan special sessions.

The news is that, as confirmed by Mercedes, taking advantage of the break in the Formula 2 championship, which will not follow Formula 1 overseas in Canada, Antonelli will continue his program in Barcelona, ​​where the Brackley team has planned another three days of testing with the W13. Montmelò represents an excellent track for evaluating a rider’s progress, as it is among the most complete on the entire calendar.

It is interesting to note how it is progressing step by step. From a track with long straights, important braking areas and many traction areas like that of the Red Bull Ring, we then moved on to Imola, where there are also a couple of fast corners and many changes in gradient, to which is added the use of the curbs. This was followed by the test at Silverstone and, finally, next week’s test in Barcelona, ​​where there are numerous challenging high-speed sections.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes W12

As the drivers who have debuted in the world championship in recent years have already confirmed, for a rookie the fastest corners represent the most complex challenge, as you have to learn to trust the grip and the load generated by the car, as well as when braking, where notices the difference more compared to the preparatory categories.

For this reason, the Spanish circuit represents an excellent opportunity not only to verify the Italian driver’s progress in recent months, but also to guarantee him the chance to test and feel the car in the high-volume corners.