KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes Kimi Antonelli wasted no time getting adjusted to Malaysia’s weather after taking a splash ahead of Formula One’s return to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this weekend.
Heavy rains are predicted to hit the track across the three days of action for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, but the current championship leader made time to enjoy at a waterpark on Tuesday as he gets ready to blaze the track at SIC for the first time.
"There weren't many people at the waterpark so it was fun to go down the slide like five times," said the 20-year-old Italian driver.
"But it was good. I’ve been going around the city as well, and it’s really cool to see Kuala Lumpur in general.
"I’ve been enjoying my time here and getting up to speed and adjusting to the weather and humidity."
With SIC having been absent from the Formula One calendar since the last race in 2017, Antonelli added that the primary concern for the team will be tyre wear amid the wet conditions predicted for the weekend.
"We’re not too cornered on energy, but tyres will be a big challenge," said Antonelli.
"The tarmac is old; it’s very aggressive on the tyres, so there’s going to be high degradation.
"Weather-wise, it’s going to be unpredictable. There’s some rain on the radar, but it was meant to rain over the past two days, but it didn’t.
"But from what I’ve heard, when it rains here, it’s quite heavy."
SIC is known for its chaotic weather, with the 2009 Grand Prix famously red-flagged on lap 32 due to torrential downpours.
With the entire grid not having to use their wet tyres this season so far, an appearance in SIC is highly likely, and Antonelli predicts teams will need to be on their toes.
"It will be the first time we’ll be on track with wet tyres. So if that happens, it’s going to be a big challenge for everyone because we will have little experience on the wet with these cars.
"It will be interesting if that happens," he said.
