blamed going into “autopilot” mode as the explanation for his hair-raising second late within the Components 1 Chinese language Grand Prix – vowing it should by no means occur once more.
, main team-mate in a 1-2 having managed a lot of the competition.
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Antonelli took the chequered flag by 5.515s, nevertheless it might have been extra had it not been for his lap 53 incident the place he locked up at Flip 14 and went off with three excursions remaining,
That decreased his nine-second benefit to seven, so it did not harm him an excessive amount of, however was nonetheless a nerve-wracking second for the sophomore racer. It led race engineer Peter Bonnington to immediately come onto the radio to say “let’s simply get this dwelling”.
Talking of the incident, Antonelli mentioned: “I braked somewhat later, the tyres have been virtually completed and there was a tailwind, so there have been just a few elements.
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“However I had a great margin, fortunately. After I watched the footage once more earlier than going to the rostrum, I used to be shocked. I used to be alone, good and calm, and I made a mistake. However now I can say it went nicely and it received’t occur once more.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“There was a section of the race the place I managed issues loads, then when the crew instructed me I might push, I began decreasing the occasions. I used to be having fun with myself, possibly even an excessive amount of, since on the lap the place I made the braking mistake, I used to be actually pushing exhausting and there was no want.
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“It turned a kind of conditions the place it feels such as you’ve switched on autopilot, you’re driving with none psychological effort, however I relaxed a bit an excessive amount of and the error got here. A lesson discovered.”
The win on Sunday leaves Antonelli second within the championship after two rounds, 4 factors behind Russell who received each the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Shanghai dash.
The Silver Arrows is the crew to have nailed the 2026 regulation change, which presents Antonelli with a terrific alternative to battle for wins and even championships this early in his profession.
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When a possible title problem was put to him, the Italian mentioned: “We’ve solely had two races, and I believe there are about 20 extra to go.
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“Proper now I simply wish to take pleasure in this outcome, whereas actually protecting my ft on the bottom. I’m conscious that I’m a part of a terrific crew and that I’ve an excellent automobile that doesn’t rule out any goal: we are able to battle for the championship.
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“However beating George is certainly not straightforward – we have to preserve working and pushing.”
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Beating Russell is definitely exhausting, significantly because the 28-year-old is now in his eighth season of the championship so, in actuality, needs to be popping out on high towards his teenage team-mate.
“Expertise,” is what Antonelli put down as his room for enchancment. “Which means with the ability to put all the things collectively when it issues and cut back errors to absolutely the minimal.
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“Expertise performs a vital position as a result of it permits you to have the scenario underneath management in each situation: even if you’re struggling you could find a means out shortly.
“However I wish to play my playing cards. Firstly of this 12 months I mentioned I might attempt to be as prepared as attainable, as a result of the chance I’ve doesn’t come round fairly often.”
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