Mercedes Method 1 workforce principal and CEO Toto Wolff has praised Kimi Antonelli’s pole-winning lap forward of the Miami Grand Prix.
The Italian driver, who took the lead of the drivers’ standings after back-to-back wins on the Chinese language and Japanese Grands Prix, claimed pole place for the race on the Exhausting Rock Stadium after holding off four-time champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in qualifying.
“That first lap was actually particular as a result of, as you see, he was three or extra tenths forward of the following man. Spectacular, and that made the pole, however then it was a Kimi,” Wolff instructed Sky Sports activities F1. “We’re having confidence, after which we’re overpushing it however that is how he’s.
“It is already an enchancment as a result of up to now it might find yourself within the wall. Now it is only a missed lap, however he is simply displaying his velocity and that is actually, very nice to see.”
Mercedes had come below scrutiny for signing Antonelli when Lewis Hamilton left the workforce for Ferrari, however Wolff has backed the workforce’s help of the 19-year-old driver from a younger age.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Andy Hone/ LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
“You’ll be able to appear like a idiot, or you’ll be able to look nicely,” he added. “The junior programme is kind of diligent and for those who take a look at his junior trajectory from mini karts all the way in which to F2, you see the tempo and the velocity.
“Then it simply wants the event and we now have given him that final 12 months to make errors. And there is extra to come back, however he has good velocity character traits.”
As Antonelli claimed his third consecutive grand prix pole place, his team-mate George Russell struggled on the graceful observe floor.
“George stated to me he is struggled with sure tracks. Right here, the asphalt may be very clean,” Wolff added, after the Briton certified in fifth for the Miami Grand Prix.
“It is virtually like a [tennis] participant that’s good on clay, and one other on a tough floor.
“By way of qualifying, he made it up and it is only a smidge lacking to P3, so I am actually pleased to see his growth over qualifying on a observe he is not 100% comfy.”
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