After a tricky rookie season last year, Antonelli has adapted remarkably quickly to competing at the front of the grid. Nonetheless, while the Italian acknowledges the title race is in effect over, he is keeping the cool head that has brought him to this point with such alacrity.
“There’s a lot of places I need to take headache tablets before I go out simply because it’s so bumpy and you’re hitting your head pretty hard against the headrest because of the bumps,” one driver stated.
The venue is built on marshland, and the bumps caused by the ground beneath the track have been condemned as potentially harmful. The uneven surface forces impacts into the base of the drivers’ spines.
While Antonelli approaches the race intending simply to have fun, the Texas circuit has drawn unusually severe criticism from drivers going into the weekend over potential long-term health dangers posed by its state.
“The competition is a little bit higher as well because you’re racing with 21 of the best drivers in the world,” Antonelli said. “When you fight for championships in karting and junior series, the mindset is very similar in the way you approach races and the way you think.”. “We had a meeting with Bono this morning and we said: ‘Just have fun,’” Antonelli added. “Just try to do the best I can every race weekend, and then we’ll see.”.