1997 System 1 champion has pointed to a weak spot in Mercedes’ 2026 equipment.
Whereas the Brackley outfit has had a dominant begin to the season, successful each grand prix and dash race so far, Villeneuve has claimed that the struggles to combat in soiled air.
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Antonelli grew to become the youngest driver to guide the drivers’ standings after his second win of the season on the Japanese Grand Prix. The Italian driver transformed pole place right into a race win, however solely after a horrible begin left him making his means again up the grid. He capitalised on a well-timed security automotive to take again the lead of the race, and maintained his place to the chequered flag.
“Effectively, he was the quickest automotive all weekend. So successful was logical, however he actually tousled his begin. So then does that basically make you a winner deserving? Who is aware of?” Villeneuve informed F1 TV after the race.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“And he had a tough time to return again by way of the sphere. And it was the identical factor for Russell. It appears that evidently the automotive in site visitors, all the opposite ones can combat, can keep in site visitors, the Mercedes cannot. They have to be within the contemporary air.
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“Then, clearly, a bit of little bit of a serving to hand [from the safety car]. And he maximised that scenario. He was superb at that. And while you need to win a race, you additionally must take the conditions and put them in your favour.”
Antonelli’s Mercedes team-mate completed fourth after going through related points with site visitors. Having pitted one lap earlier than the protection automotive was deployed, he misplaced out to those that may benefit from a ‘low-cost’ pitstop below security automotive circumstances. He was then compelled to battle by way of the sphere to take fourth place.
Photographs from Japanese GP – SundayAndrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Simon Galloway / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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An Oracle Purple Bull Racing fan.
An Oracle Purple Bull Racing fan.
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Automotive of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Automotive of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Brie Larson.
Brie Larson.
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Crew
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Crew
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Alexander Albon, Williams
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Alexander Albon, Williams
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Ferrari followers.
Ferrari followers.
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Oscar Piastri’s automotive, McLaren
Oscar Piastri’s automotive, McLaren
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos by way of Getty Photos
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Charlie Day and Jack Black go to the Mercedes AMG F1 Crew storage.
Charlie Day and Jack Black go to the Mercedes AMG F1 Crew storage.
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Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Crew, George Russell, Mercedes
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Crew, George Russell, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos by way of Getty Photos
Benny Safdie
Benny Safdie
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
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Carlos Sainz, Williams, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Kym Illman / Getty Photos
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Crew
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Crew
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Zak Brown, McLaren
Zak Brown, McLaren
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Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
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Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Crew, Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Crew, Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Clive Mason / Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
Simon Galloway / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Crew automotive after his crash
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Crew automotive after his crash
Kym Illman / Getty Photos
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Clive Mason / Getty Photos
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Crew
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Oscar Piastri, McLaren Crew
Oscar Piastri, McLaren Crew
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos by way of Getty Photos
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Clive Mason / Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Clive Rose / System 1 by way of Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Clive Rose / System 1 by way of Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Kym Illman / Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos by way of Getty Photos
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / System 1 by way of Getty Photos
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Simon Galloway / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
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