The relentless grind of an F1 title fight can test even the most talented drivers, and Kimi Antonelli may now be feeling the weight of the championship battle. After a difficult Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sky Sports F1 pundit Naomi Schiff believes the young Italian could be allowing the pressure to affect his driving.
Key Highlights
- Kimi Antonelli's championship lead was cut from 81 points to 66 after Baku.
- Naomi Schiff said Antonelli appeared "stiff" and "in his head" during the weekend.
- George Russell took victory for Mercedes, while Antonelli recovered from 16th on the grid to finish fifth.
- Schiff believes Antonelli needs to "get out of his head" and rediscover his freedom behind the wheel.
Antonelli's Championship Lead Takes a Hit
Kimi Antonelli arrived in Baku with an 81-point championship advantage, giving the Mercedes driver a significant cushion in the title fight. However, a difficult qualifying session left him starting from 16th, putting him on the back foot from the outset. Antonelli recovered strongly to finish fifth, but the result still saw his championship lead fall to 66 points.
At the other end of the Mercedes garage, George Russell enjoyed a much stronger weekend. Starting from pole position, Russell converted his advantage into a dominant victory, further highlighting the contrasting fortunes of the two teammates in Baku. The result has also raised questions over whether the growing pressure of the title fight is beginning to affect Antonelli.
Schiff Warns Antonelli May Be “Spooking Himself”
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Sky Sports F1 pundit and former W Series driver Naomi Schiff pointed to a noticeable change in Antonelli's demeanour during the Azerbaijan weekend. She suggested that Antonelli's fear of making a mistake could be affecting the way he drives, leaving him looking "stiff in the car."
"It felt like a driver who's driving for that championship, but has almost spooked himself a little bit too much," Schiff explained.
Schiff's assessment suggests that the championship pressure may be creating a difficult cycle for the young Italian. Rather than simply focusing on extracting the most from the car, Antonelli could be becoming increasingly conscious of avoiding mistakes.
Antonelli Has Overcome Similar Pressure Before
Schiff also pointed out that Antonelli has experienced a similar mental challenge in the past. That previous experience could offer encouragement as Antonelli looks to respond to his difficult Baku weekend.
"Last season he was in his head a lot as well. He managed to get that under control, and then he was driving more freely," she said.
With 66 points still separating him from the chasing pack, his championship position remains strong despite the reduced advantage. For now, Schiff believes the key is for Antonelli to stop allowing the title fight to dominate his thinking and "get out of his head." The next challenge will be translating that mindset back into the car as the championship battle continues.
