Nico Rosberg has quickly dismissed suggestions that Mercedes favored Andrea Kimi Antonelli over George Russell during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. According to him, the Brackley-based outfit maintains strict equality between its two drivers who are fighting at the top of the standings.
Antonelli secured a stunning victory on home soil after starting from 19th on the grid. The crucial moment came when a mid-race virtual safety car was deployed; Antonelli took advantage of it to pit for fresher medium tyres. Meanwhile, George Russell, who was leading the race, stayed out on hard tyres and ultimately had to concede the top spot to his teammate.
Reacting to the situation on Sky Sports F1, presenter Simon Lazenby asked whether Mercedes acted in Antonelli's favor because the Italian leads the drivers' championship. Rosberg responded firmly, "No, no, no. Equal opportunity for both. It has to be the case. And that is the case. They're racing for the championship."
The 2016 world champion, who drove for Mercedes from 2010 to 2016, explained that the team's internal protocols automatically give the leading car priority on strategy. "It's very clear internally in the team. George is leading the race. He gets the best strategy to get, in the fastest way possible, to the end of the race," he said.
Rosberg added, "He gets the first choice. Doesn't matter where Kimi is or what he is doing, George gets it. And that's what Mercedes now needs to confirm. At that point, for George, the best way was to stay out and not come in and take those medium tyres. And if that's the case, then it's all easy and fair."
When asked if Mercedes might not have wanted to pit Russell as he was leading, Rosberg continued: "It's a hard one. As I say, George has to get the best strategy because he's leading. So he has to be given the best strategy, whatever it is. And it has to have been that it's the fastest way to get to the end by staying out on those hards because he only had a used medium set left. It's hard to know from outside, but I hope that that was the case."
With this result, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has extended his lead in the drivers' championship to 66 points over George Russell, who sits second. The internal battle at Mercedes is set to intensify, especially with the strategic call at Monza becoming a major talking point.
Baca Juga
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