Kimi Antonelli Warns Mercedes Battery Faces 'Shock' in Melbourne
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli predicts his car's battery system will face a significant challenge at the Australian Grand Prix due to the high energy demands at Albert Park. Since its reprofiling in 2021, Albert Park has become one of the fastest tracks on the Formula 1 calendar, pushing the new battery system to its limits.
Antonelli highlights a concern for the Mercedes battery before the Australian Grand Prix. He had two productive tests in Bahrain, but faced a hiccup on the final day, pulling over after 49 laps. With the new power units having a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical elements, drivers must charge and deploy battery power throughout the lap for optimal performance.
Albert Park's layout, featuring long stretches without heavy braking zones, including a flat-out stretch from Turn 7 to Turn 11, will test the battery system at the season opener. Antonelli confirms he'll spend extensive time in the Mercedes simulator post-testing to prepare for Melbourne's challenges, contrasting the experience in Bahrain.
As the F1 2026 season approaches, Antonelli emphasizes the importance of finding the right battery deployment strategy. He states, 'I mean, definitely will do a lot [in the simulator]. But it’s mainly to get the deployment right, because Melbourne is going to be a lot different than what we’ve experienced here. And for the battery, it’s going to be quite a bit of a shock.'
Despite the challenges, Antonelli's Mercedes team enters the new season as title favorites, showcasing impressive early pace with the W17 in testing. Additional reporting by Thomas Maher.
