Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrived in Madrid for the Spanish GP with a smile he could hardly hide. And why not? The Mercedes driver leads the championship by 66 points over his closest rival and has just taken an iconic victory at Monza. Speaking to journalists, he discussed pressure, Ferrari fans cheering for him, and the team's internal dynamics.
“For me it was fantastic to see so many Ferrari fans cheering and shouting my name on the podium and during the race,” Antonelli said. “I think the fans made the difference, because in the last ten or fifteen laps, every time I exited the Prima Variante, I saw the grandstands on the right and noticed everyone standing up as I passed.” That moment proved how a win at Monza can unite red and silver in the same cheer.
However, the young driver refuses to get caught up in title talk. “I don't even know how many races are left, probably about ten, so the road is still long,” he stressed. “I think it's still early and I don't want to think about the championship; Monza proved that I wasn't worrying about the standings, I was just trying to win and give my best. That's my approach: of course, in the future there might be situations where, before making a decision, I'll think about the championship. But what I want to avoid at all costs is going out on track – whether it's free practice, qualifying or the race itself – thinking or worrying about the championship.”
Regarding the internal battle with George Russell, Antonelli believes the team won't play favourites. “I think at Mercedes there isn't a true ‘number one driver’, because they want to give both the same opportunities; George is an incredible driver and has been in great form in the last two races, so it certainly doesn't seem to me that there is a ‘number one driver’. The team treats us the same and gives us the same chances. I don't feel like the undisputed leader, I feel we are both on the same level: that's how it should be, it's the right way.”
Arriving in Madrid is a mental test: can Antonelli stay focused amid the euphoria? With 66 points, he has a cushion, but MotoGP and F1 often teach that advantages can vanish in an instant. Mercedes itself is in a transition phase, and Russell's renewed competitiveness adds a new dimension. The Spanish race will indicate whether Antonelli is truly indifferent to the standings, or if he's playing a subtle psychological game.
One thing is clear: the Monza victory has changed public perception. Ferrari fans who usually only support the red team have now acknowledged the brilliance of an Italian in a Mercedes cockpit. That is a historic achievement, and Antonelli is fully aware of its weight. “I never expected to feel such support,” he admitted. “It gives me extra energy, but also the responsibility to stay humble.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, he insists he won't change his approach. “I just want to win as much as possible, without thinking about anything other than the race itself,” he concluded. If this consistency holds, the championship might come to him without him even thinking about it. But for now, Antonelli chooses to focus on the first corner in Madrid, not the points table.
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