Parts of Suzuka still a challenge for drivers says Antonelli after second pole position

Andrea Kimi Antonelli said he had to rein in the urge to push flat-out on his way to pole position at Suzuka.

The Japanese track has long been regarded as one of the most challenging in Formula 1. However drivers have said they have to approach qualifying at “99%” under F1’s new rules due to the cars ‘super-clipping’ and how the power units react to mid-corner corrections.

But Antonelli, who took the second pole position of his career at Suzuka, said there are still points around the lap where the drivers can challenge themselves.

“Obviously there are parts of the track where you’re a little bit limited, a bit handcuffed on driving because of energy,” he said. “But I think still the Esses are pretty good fun because at the end of the day the car on the chassis side is very good fun. The Esses in qualifying were getting pretty quick.”

However he said improvements are needed to allow drivers to push harder in qualifying. “Of course, there’s still work to do, on these big tracks with the energy, trying to find a solution that allows us to push even more and drive without thinking too much, especially in certain places.

“But overall, I think it was good fun, qualifying, because at the end also you look at the lap times and they’re not so far off from last year, so I think qualifying today has been good fun.”

Antonelli took pole position with the first lap he set in Q3. He was unable to improve on his final run, but nor was team mate George Russell, who took second on the grid behind him.

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“I had a really clean session, it felt good,” said Antonelli. “I had a strong run one and then from there on I just built the momentum.

“Obviously, it was a bit trickier than FP3, especially at the start of qualifying. I think the wind increased a little bit and it felt a little bit more difficult, the car, overall.

“But then we just tried to adapt and we made some tweaks with aero balance and found a good compromise. Then the lap in Q3 was good. It was a shame about the last one, but I think it was, overall, a very strong session.”

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