Anthony Davidson and Jenson Button agree one F1 driver looked ‘rattled’ during the Singapore GP

Follow us on Google Discover

The Singapore Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling race that could have huge implications for the title race.

Mercedes driver George Russell took an unexpected pole position ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Similar to Carlos Sainz in Mexico City last year, Russell actually set two times quick enough for pole, although Verstappen was angry with McLaren driver Lando Norris for allegedly impeding his final flying lap.

Drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri will start the race from third, alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who once again showed that he seems more comfortable at tracks he’s never visited before.

It’s not been an easy few months for the Italian teenager, with Mercedes yet to confirm Antonelli’s contract for 2026.

Toto Wolff has publicly stated that his driver line-up won’t change, but the 19-year-old currently sits nearly 150 points behind Russell in the standings.

Anthony Davidson and Jenson Button were reviewing qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix, and Antonelli’s second top-four start in the last two races.

While his final flying lap was a very impressive effort, Davidson noticed that Antonelli looked ‘rattled’ while studying his onboard footage.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli looked ‘rattled’ during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix

Davidson was speaking about Antonelli on Sky Sports F1 (4/10 4:11 pm) and he explained: “I think he got rattled a bit by what happened earlier on with the track limits in Turn One, and then from that moment, he said he felt like he was a bit overdriving, and this is the moment in Turn Seven, so that’s on his best lap.

“That’s just one example where he feels like he overdrove the car. We can see it, I guess, as drivers, and we know what it’s like to be in that situation where you just push for too much and you feel a bit rattled and you get tense inside the car, you make digital movements on the wheel and the pedals, and it just doesn’t flow anymore.

“So the good thing is, though, he’s aware of that and very self-analytical; he knows where he can improve going forward.”

Button agreed and continued: “And when you watch his lap compared to George’s lap, which just looks super smooth.

“But also, another driver, I think, is being a little bit, maybe too hard on themselves. George’s lap was one of the best laps we’ve seen this year, and he ended up three-tenths behind him with a lap that wasn’t quite as good as he had hoped.

“So it’s still not bad. He’s starting P4 the first time he’s ever been to this street circuit. It’s not easy.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Kimi Antonelli ‘slightly disappointed’ with Singapore Grand Prix qualifying effort

Antonelli revealed the advice Lewis Hamilton gave him heading into the weekend, highlighting the bond between the rookie and the seven-time world champion.

The Italian has shown glimpses of why Mercedes were so keen to rush him into Formula 1, but if the Silver Arrows are as competitive as many believe they will be next year, then he needs to find another level.

Antonelli’s new contract is ‘effectively’ signed, but the wait goes on for official confirmation, something that might still be playing on his mind during race weekend.

Speaking in his official post-session interview, Antonelli explained: “I am slightly disappointed to end our day in P4. I had a good FP3 and put together strong laps in both Q1 and Q2.

“It didn’t quite come together in Q3, sadly, as I pushed a little too hard on both laps. I left a good chunk of lap time on the table, and that is frustrating.

“It is a shame, as I think we had a real shot at pole position, and at least the front row. I’m pleased that I’ve managed to get up to speed quickly at a track that I’ve never driven before, but there was definitely more there than our final result.”