F1 Brazil: Mercedes explains Antonelli's spin (cold tyres)
The newsroomUpdated on November 12, 20264 minBrazilian GP F1: Mercedes blames Kimi Antonelli's off at Interlagos on tyres that were too cold and stayed outside their working temperature window.
Key point
Mercedes puts the W17's unusual behaviour at Interlagos down to tyres that stayed below their temperature window in cool weather on a damp track, which cost Kimi Antonelli the lead.
Mercedes has given its explanation for Kimi Antonelli's off at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos: the W17 behaved unusually because its tyres could not stay inside their temperature window. The episode cost the Italian the lead, and he ended up fifth.
A race led before the drop-off
Starting second behind pole-sitter Lando Norris, Antonelli took the lead after Norris made a poor start. On a track mixing rain and dry patches, he built a comfortable gap over the first 15 laps. He switched from worn intermediates to slicks on lap 18, one lap after Norris pitted.
Things then went wrong. Antonelli reported that the car was pulling to one side and, about two laps later, he lost the rear under braking at Turn 1 and ended up in the run-off area. He had already left the track at Turn 12 earlier in the race. Norris took the lead and Antonelli finished fifth, 41 seconds behind the winner.
Mercedes' explanation: tyres below the window
According to the team, the data show the tyres stayed just below their operating window. They sometimes entered it briefly, then dropped out of it, notably because of the damp conditions. Bradley Lord, the team's deputy boss, attributes this to tyre temperatures that were too low, as the track was cooler on Sunday.
During the soft slick stint, as in the final intermediate stint, the car oversteered heavily and was very difficult to drive, with very cold tyres.
Four flat-spotted tyres
Another factor: after his spin, Antonelli locked his wheels and flat-spotted all four tyres, which limited his pace afterwards. The driver said he did not understand why he lost the rear under braking.
Russell hit too
His team-mate George Russell was not spared: he spun on pit exit, without significant damage, and finished fourth. Mercedes nonetheless claims to have had the fastest car at times, notably during the intermediate and soft-tyre stints.
What to remember
- Cause put forward by Mercedes: tyres that did not reach, or could not hold, their temperature window in cool, damp conditions.
- Antonelli led until his drop-off, then handed the lead to Norris.
- The episode did not stop the team celebrating its constructors' title, the first since 2021.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Kimi Antonelli go off at the Brazilian GP?
According to Mercedes, the W17 behaved unusually because the tyres could not stay in their temperature window, with the track cooler on Sunday. Antonelli lost the rear under braking at Turn 1.
Where did Antonelli finish at Interlagos?
Fifth, 41 seconds behind winner Lando Norris, after leading the first 15 laps. George Russell finished fourth.
Was Mercedes really the fastest?
The team says it had the fastest car at times, notably during the intermediate and soft-tyre stints.
Sources
- Motorsport.com FR — Mercedes explains the W17's unusual behaviour at Interlagos
- Motorsport.com DE — Mercedes explains the cause of Antonelli's spin
- Motorsport.com NL — Mercedes explains the unusual car behaviour in Interlagos
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
Newsletter · free
The Friday paddock
The essentials of motorsport, every Friday in your inbox. Free, one email a week.
Choose my categories
