Andrea Kimi Antonelli has bluntly admitted that Mercedes is "clearly not the fastest car" on the Formula 1 grid after failing to topple Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix. The admission came after a frustrating race at Zandvoort, where Antonelli finished second and teammate George Russell took third.
It's a bitter pill to swallow. Antonelli extended his championship lead over Russell, but Norris's back-to-back victories have cast doubt on Mercedes' dominance this season. The W17 has looked nearly unbeatable at most circuits, but the tide seems to be turning.
Interestingly, Antonelli pointed to McLaren's dramatic improvement as the main threat. He believes the major upgrade package the Woking-based team brought since Hungary and Zandvoort has made them a force to be reckoned with. "I mean for sure we're clearly not the fastest car anymore on the grid," he told media, including Motorsport Week. "We're probably second or third, at least in today's race, and McLaren has taken a huge step, especially since Hungary."
Antonelli added that Mercedes is inching closer to its own upgrade, which he believes will give them "the upper hand" once implemented. "The team has been working super hard on this next package," the Italian explained. "They just want to make sure it's going to work out well once we put it on."
Despite acknowledging the challenges ahead, Antonelli stressed the team's readiness to maximize every opportunity. "We're ready to do our best and then hopefully when it's our turn to bring the package, it's going to give us a little bit the upper hand again," he concluded.
Antonelli's comments align with many analysts' views that McLaren is now the dominant force, while Mercedes has to work harder to catch up. With a long season ahead, the championship battle is set to intensify.
Baca Juga
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