Mercedes reconfigures suspension following Antonelli's Spa incidents.

      "The car was a bit more challenging to handle."

      Mercedes has undergone a significant technical overhaul ahead of the Hungarian GP, reverting to its former rear suspension configuration after a series of disappointing results and increasing pressure on rookie driver Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old Italian, who took Lewis Hamilton's place this season, became emotional during a difficult weekend at Spa. Since then, the team has sought to protect Antonelli by acknowledging that their recent suspension choice was a mistake.

      "Since we switched to the new suspension, the car has been a bit more challenging to drive," Antonelli stated in Budapest. "Especially in high-speed corners. My driving style made the car even more unpredictable, which affected my confidence."

      "I found it hard to adjust. George (Russell), with his experience, adapted much more quickly. But I'm hopeful that going back to the old suspension will restore the feeling I had before the European season."

      Mercedes had followed a trend in the pitlane by altering the car's rear anti-lift characteristics, similar to the changes made by Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari. However, the FIA's crackdown on flexible wings may have brought additional challenges.

      Mercedes engineering chief Andrew Shovlin noted: "We retrofitted and had to work with what we had. The gearbox housing is a carryover from 2024 – there aren’t many points available to attach suspension components."

      Russell, clearly the faster driver of the Mercedes duo in 2025, remarked: "We’ve moved backwards. When you consider our overall performance, we’ve both regressed."

      Despite this, Antonelli is also aiming for a mental reset amidst rising pressure and scrutiny. "I engaged in some fun activities like driving my remote control car," he shared about his brief time off since Spa. "Now I feel upbeat. I’m ready to give my best before the summer break."