Kimi Antonelli will start third on the Bahrain Grand Prix grid after Isack Hadjar's five-place penalty, but Mercedes' championship leader expressed disappointment with the team's performance despite their major upgrade package. The seven-piece update introduced at Sepang failed to deliver expected gains, leaving both Mercedes drivers struggling with tire overheating in Malaysia's demanding conditions.
Antonelli finished half a second behind Max Verstappen's pole position time and acknowledged Red Bull appeared too quick for Mercedes to challenge outright. The Italian emphasized that strategy would be crucial for Sunday's race, particularly the powerful undercut effect that Sepang's abrasive track surface creates with significant tire degradation.
Mercedes brought their first significant upgrade since the Canadian Grand Prix, featuring new floor, sidepods and rear suspension components. However, the team struggled to understand the package's performance in Malaysia's extreme heat, with tire temperatures exceeding operating windows after just two corners on the rough track surface.
The race could involve two or three pit stops depending on tire degradation levels, with Antonelli planning to attack whenever undercut opportunities arise. He warned that roasting hot conditions would make tire management critical while traffic considerations could influence optimal pit timing strategies.