Daily News 19

Tag: George Russell

  • Juan Pablo Montoya: Mercedes Should Have Double-Stacked George Russell, Kimi Antonelli at Monza

    Juan Pablo Montoya: Mercedes Should Have Double-Stacked George Russell, Kimi Antonelli at Monza

    Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has criticized Mercedes’ strategy during the Italian Grand Prix, arguing the team compromised George Russell’s race victory chances by failing to double-stack their drivers under the Virtual Safety Car.

    Montoya Questions Mercedes Pit Strategy at Monza

    Mercedes secured a dominant 1-2 finish at Monza, led by home favorite Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The rookie recovered from 19th on the grid to become the first Italian winner at the circuit since 1966. However, Russell controlled the early phases of the race and appeared the primary candidate for victory before a mid-race Virtual Safety Car period altered the complexion of the Grand Prix.

    The British driver was leading at the time but was left out on track while Antonelli pitted. The Italian subsequently sliced through the field and overtook his teammate for the win.

    Montoya: Russell Should Have Received Priority Stop

    Speaking on F1 TV’s post-race show, Montoya argued Mercedes should have given Russell the priority pitstop.

    “He was leading and he should have had the priority on the pitstop. When that virtual safety car came, at that point, it’s quicker to stop than staying out. They should have stopped him, they should have double-stacked him, and he should have stopped ahead of Antonelli,” the Colombian explained.

    “And I’m not saying Antonelli wouldn’t still catch him and win the race, but it would have been a really close fight like we saw earlier on. It would have been a really cool race at the end for all of us.”

    Wolff Defends Strategy, Cites Tyre Constraints

    Team principal Toto Wolff addressed suggestions the Brackley outfit’s strategy favoured Antonelli.

    “The two-stop was the best but we didn’t think it was the case, so that was good for him actually,” he told Sky Sports F1 after the race.

    “But today there was nothing that would have stopped him [Antonelli]. George fought with worn-out tools at the end, so I’m really happy for the one-two.”

    When asked if there were any alternative strategic options for Russell, Wolff added:

    “No, George was on the hard and we needed to go on the one-stop so there was no chance.”

  • Was Russell Hindered or Was It Antonelli Brilliance? F1 Q&A

    Was Russell Hindered or Was It Antonelli Brilliance? F1 Q&A

    Andrew Benson Answers Fan Questions Following Italian Grand Prix

    BBC Sport Formula 1 correspondent Andrew Benson has responded to a new batch of reader questions in the aftermath of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The session covers key talking points from the race weekend, offering expert analysis on team strategies, driver performances, and championship implications.

    Post-Race Analysis and Fan Interaction

    The Q&A format allows fans to submit specific queries regarding on-track incidents, technical developments, and the shifting competitive order. Benson draws on his extensive paddock access and historical knowledge to provide context behind the headlines from the Temple of Speed.

    Key Topics Addressed

    • Race-defining moments and strategic decisions
    • Driver performances and championship standings impact
    • Technical updates and team development directions
    • Upcoming race weekend expectations

    Readers can find the full exchange on the BBC Sport website, where Benson continues to bridge the gap between the F1 paddock and the global audience throughout the season.

  • From FP1 Debut Crash to Charging Home Victory: How Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli ‘Closed the Circle’ at Monza

    From FP1 Debut Crash to Charging Home Victory: How Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli ‘Closed the Circle’ at Monza

    Antonelli’s Meteoric Rise: From Rookie Struggles to Championship Leader

    Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign has transformed from a cautious apprenticeship into a dominant title charge. The Mercedes driver arrived at the Barcelona shakedown in January appearing calm and confident in machinery built to all-new regulations, but his subsequent trajectory has exceeded even the most optimistic projections.

    Early Resilience Sets the Tone

    After backing up teammate George Russell at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix—where he recovered from an FP3 crash that threatened to derail his weekend—Antonelli rattled off four pole positions and five victories across the next five rounds. The pressure appeared to lift entirely, erasing earlier doubts and revealing the maturity team principal Toto Wolff had predicted since Antonelli’s karting days.

    “It kind of shows the decision we’ve taken last year, [that] giving him a year to learn while he was still 18 is going to monetise in the future,” Wolff told F1.com after Antonelli’s maiden Grand Prix pole in China. “You can see how he’s grown and how mature he is now.

    “One of the things we are most impressed by is that, compared to last year, Kimi is acting with so much maturity and cold-bloodedness to issues. He’s able to compartmentalise the debriefing, talk about what’s ahead and not what’s behind with a lot of confidence, but no over-confidence.

    “For a racing driver, beyond the skill of driving the car fast, that mental resilience is key, and that’s what Kimi is showing at the moment.”

    Since that Chinese breakthrough, Antonelli has added further podiums, only missing the rostrum in Barcelona and at Silverstone due to reliability issues. Those results have built a sizeable championship lead over Russell heading into the Italian Grand Prix.

    Monza Masterclass Extends Championship Advantage

    Last weekend at Monza presented a golden opportunity for Russell—starting from the front row—to claw back points after his own share of misfortune this season. Instead, Antonelli produced a drive for the ages, converting a 19th-place grid slot (following an engine-related penalty) into victory.

    He climbed to 12th after two laps, entered the points-paying positions shortly after the restart, hunted down Russell by one-third distance, and launched an initial lead bid on Lap 18. When the Mercedes drivers split strategies amid a mid-race Virtual Safety Car period, Wolff was unequivocal: “nothing would have stopped him.”

    “I thought one of the two is going to win,” added the Austrian team boss. “Either George, because he was on [the front row], or Kimi, because he’s going to walk over water here in Monza, and I felt that yesterday also.”

    Historical Significance for Italian Motorsport

    Antonelli’s Monza triumph marks the first victory for an Italian driver at the Temple of Speed since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966. The result moves him one step closer to becoming the first Italian to claim the F1 Drivers’ Championship since Alberto Ascari’s back-to-back titles in 1952-53.

    From crashing Russell’s car during a whirlwind Friday test session a couple of years ago to now leading the intra-team battle at Mercedes, Antonelli’s ascent has been nothing short of remarkable.

  • Kimi Antonelli Sends Emotional Message to Fans After “Indescribable” Italian GP Victory

    Kimi Antonelli Sends Emotional Message to Fans After “Indescribable” Italian GP Victory

    Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli described his Italian Grand Prix victory as a “dream come true” in a message to fans after becoming the first home driver to win at Monza since 1966.

    Antonelli Overcomes Grid Penalty to Claim Historic Monza Win

    The 20-year-old Italian recovered from an engine penalty that dropped him to 19th on the starting grid to win Sunday’s race. Antonelli passed teammate George Russell in the closing stages to secure his seventh victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

    Italian Driver Thanks Monza Crowd on Social Media

    Taking to social media on Monday morning, Antonelli thanked the local crowd for their reception during the post-race podium ceremony.

    “P1 at home!! It’s hard to describe yesterday. It’s a dream come true,” Antonelli posted. “What I experienced is something I will never forget, the Monza podium is indescribable, the warmth of all the fans and the sea of people that never ends.

    “I really want to thank all the people who made this possible and who are making this year special.”

    Championship Lead Extended After Monza Triumph

    Following his win at Monza, Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers’ standings. He now holds a 66-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who sits second in the championship.

    Antonelli Refuses to Get Ahead of Himself in Title Fight

    Antonelli was quizzed on the championship fight after the race. When asked by Sky Sports F1 if he was now of the mindset that the title is his to lose, he explained:

    “No, not at all. I just take race by race because you never know what can happen. Today went well, we had a massive opportunity and we took it, but of course next week we have Madrid and it’s going to be a new challenge. 

    “We will have to be on top of our game because it’s a new track for everyone and it’s going to be important to be on point in order to maximise the track time and everything. I’m going to enjoy this moment and then focus on the next one and then focus on the next one again until the end of the season.”

  • Toto Wolff Uneasy After Mercedes Drivers Clash at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster”

    Toto Wolff Uneasy After Mercedes Drivers Clash at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster”

    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted the on-track battle between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at the Italian Grand Prix “could have ended in disaster” and left the team looking “like idiots” after the pair traded the lead repeatedly at Monza.

    Antonelli’s Charge from 19th Sets Up Teammate Duel

    Starting 19th on the grid due to a power-unit penalty, Antonelli carved through the field to reach second place within 16 laps. A 12-lap wheel-to-wheel fight with Russell followed, with the Silver Arrows swapping the race lead several times before a virtual safety car (VSC) period allowed Antonelli to pit. He rejoined 14 seconds behind his teammate but, on fresher tyres, closed the gap rapidly and launched a decisive attack with six laps remaining.

    Late-Race Scare at Turn 2

    The climax arrived on lap 49 when Russell ran wide at Turn 2 while defending, and Antonelli slid into the gravel trap on the marbles. Both cars recovered to secure a Mercedes 1-2 — Antonelli leading Russell by four seconds, with Max Verstappen third, 15 seconds adrift — but the moment left Wolff visibly tense.

    Wolff: “We Would Have Looked Like Idiots”

    Speaking after the race, Wolff revealed he had his finger on the radio button to intervene but held back.

    “We’re trying to anticipate possible scenarios, and the two of them have been great in understanding and embracing the team component – which is difficult for a race driver that tries to win a grand prix, especially for Kimi in Monza, especially for George, who needs to keep scoring points in order to stay in the Toto Wolff uneasy as Mercedes drivers fought at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster” race,” the Austrian pondered. “But they’ve always been clean.”

    “At times, we were thinking, ‘It’s clean, but it’s a bit close’. And I had a finger on the button to Marcus, to Bono, to Kimi, to George, but I didn’t push it.”

    “The last incident was unfortunate. George tried to not cut the corner, and Kimi then obviously on the marbles, going straight, and that could have ended up in a disaster when it comes to the race result. We would have looked like idiots.”

    “We will be talking about that situation as another building block of how we want to race in the future. But I think it was worth to show the racing spirit in the team and have them go at each other.”

    Russell Ruues Lost Duel After VSC Pitstop

    Russell acknowledged parallels to the drawn-out Mercedes fight at the Canadian Grand Prix but expressed frustration that the VSC timing ended their extended battle.

    “I would have loved to have continued on the same strategy because I felt in a good position in that battle,” he said. “I sort of knew exactly what I needed to do with the energy management to defend, but also when to attack and make those moves, and I put a lot of preparation into this race in that regard.

    “Then, of course, when the VSC came out, it kind of came out at that perfect point for the drivers to pull the trigger and take the pitstop. And, yeah, here we are.”

    Championship Implications

    With his fifth consecutive winless weekend, Russell now trails Antonelli by 66 points in the drivers’ standings, underscoring the shifting dynamic within the Mercedes garage as the Italian rookie announces himself as a genuine title contender.

  • Max Verstappen’s “wholesome” Monza moment with Kimi Antonelli’s father goes viral, praised as a “Class act”

    Max Verstappen’s “wholesome” Monza moment with Kimi Antonelli’s father goes viral, praised as a “Class act”

    A heartwarming post-race moment between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Marco Antonelli, father of race winner Kimi Antonelli, has captured widespread attention across social media platforms following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

    Verstappen’s Classy Gesture Goes Viral

    Footage from the Monza paddock showed the four-time world champion approaching Antonelli Sr. shortly after his son claimed a remarkable maiden home Grand Prix victory from 19th on the grid. Verstappen made a point of embracing the Italian engineer before Kimi Antonelli could reach his father to celebrate the historic win.

    The spontaneous display of sportsmanship quickly circulated online, drawing praise from fans and observers alike for its authenticity and respect.

    Fan Reactions Highlight Sportsmanship

    Social media platforms, particularly Reddit, buzzed with commentary applauding Verstappen’s conduct. The reactions underscored a broader appreciation for the driver’s character beyond his on-track prowess.

    “Very sweet, very wholesome,” one fan commented on Reddit, while another wrote: “Max is and always will be a class act.”

    “Max is really the bigger person… I’d still be salty that Kimi lost me a shot at 5x WDC last season lol,” another fan posted.

    “I think he’s lowkey just happy Antonelli is wiping the floor with Russell and denying Russell the best chance he’s had at a championship.”

    Further comments reinforced the sentiment:

    “Class move, congratulating the dad on his son winning the Italian GP as well!”

    “Max isn’t a generational but a historical champion. Both on the track and as a person.”

    Antonelli Dominates Home Soil

    The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured the top spot on the iconic Monza podium, leading a team 1-2 finish ahead of teammate George Russell in second place. Verstappen completed the podium in third.

    During the post-race press conference, an emotional Antonelli reflected on the magnitude of the achievement.

    “I think this is the most special podium of the season,” Antonelli explained during the press conference. “To see all the fans on the straight, it’s just incredible. And then being at home, it adds that little bit extra. And super, super happy with that.”

    Championship Standings Shift

    Antonelli’s commanding victory at Monza has significantly extended his lead in the drivers’ championship standings. He now holds a 66-point advantage over Russell, who sits in second position. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton follows in third place, trailing Antonelli by 76 points and Russell by 10 points.

    The result marks a pivotal moment in the title race, with Antonelli establishing himself as the clear favorite heading into the season’s closing rounds.

  • Winners and Losers from F1’s Memorable Italian Grand Prix

    Winners and Losers from F1’s Memorable Italian Grand Prix

    Antonelli Triumphs at Monza as Ferrari Stumbles in Front of Record Crowd

    Whether you embrace Formula 1’s 2026 regulations and the resulting yo-yo racing dynamic or not, the Italian Grand Prix delivered no shortage of talking points. In a stunning reversal of expectations, championship favorite Kimi Antonelli produced a comeback drive for the ages — earning the adulation of the Ferrari tifosi — while the Scuderia itself faltered badly on home soil.

    Antonelli Claims Historic Monza Victory

    Sunday unfolded as a day of conflicting emotions for the passionate Italian supporters. They arrived in record numbers, setting a new attendance benchmark at the Temple of Speed to cheer on Ferrari, only to witness their national team deliver a deeply disappointing performance.

    Any tears shed after Charles Leclerc’s violent accident on lap 2 quickly turned to joy and pride when Antonelli secured a maiden Italian Grand Prix victory — the first by an Italian driver at the country’s home race since 1966. Post-race broadcasts captured a telling image: scarlet-clad Ferrari fans holding an Italian flag adorned with Antonelli’s name, signaling a swift pivot from revering their national institution to celebrating a new homegrown hero.

    Antonelli’s masterclass earned him the ultimate reward — a hero’s welcome on Monza’s historic home straight as he stood atop the most glorious podium in Formula 1. In a twist on the Michael Schumacher era, the German and Italian national anthems played in reverse order. With the Monza box checked, the world championship surely beckons next.

    Russell Concedes Psychological Blow

    Antonelli’s comeback was as spectacular for him as it was humbling for George Russell, who effectively waved the white flag when championship odds were mentioned after the race. Russell drove a near-flawless weekend; were it not for Max Verstappen’s qualifying antics, the Mercedes driver would have started from pole position. The stark reality, however, is that he appears to have met his match in his younger teammate — and merely matching Antonelli may no longer suffice.

    “Kimi is deserving to be in control of it,” Russell said. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is.”

    Much can change across the remaining ten races, but if Antonelli wasn’t already in cruise control, Monza delivered a decisive psychological hammer blow.

    Verstappen Salvages Podium Against Odds

    Leave it to Max Verstappen to rescue a podium from a race he had little right to contend, battling with one hand tied behind his back against the superior energy deployment of the Mercedes-powered cars. How Verstappen sustained a fight with Russell for as long as he did remains something of a mystery.

    Securing third place — ahead of both McLarens and despite clear issues with the RB22’s rear axle — represented the best possible damage limitation. For a driver who has openly criticized the battery-led yo-yo racing format, a part of him must have relented the on-track jousting.

    Ferrari’s Home Race Nightmare

    Ferrari arrived at its home round armed with a fresh aerodynamic package designed for Monza’s high-speed demands, plus a second permitted power unit upgrade believed to have reduced its horsepower deficit by 30–40%. Friday practice offered encouragement, but when the dials were turned to maximum, the gains proved insufficient — though a two-tenths qualifying gap on a power-hungry circuit suggested the progress was genuine.

    For a team targeting improved race-weekend execution, the result was another bruising episode with Leclerc at the center. After being challenged by teammate Lewis Hamilton on the inside of Turn 1 at the start — which became the outside for Turn 2 — Leclerc drifted toward the exit, forcing Hamilton off track. Leclerc insisted he tried to “make Turn 2 as tight as I possibly could,” yet not tightly enough to leave Hamilton racing room, dropping the Briton to ninth. Whether a simple racing incident or evidence of Leclerc racing his teammate harder than anyone else remains a question only he can answer. His afternoon ended abruptly moments later when he lost control at Parabolica and slammed hard into the barriers on lap 2.

    Ferrari was never likely to defeat the Mercedes-powered cars on home turf — Hamilton himself was powerless to match the frontrunners — but the tifosi surely expected better than a sixth-place finish and a DNF.

    Alpine Leads Midfield Despite Gasly’s Fade

    Following a sensational maiden pole on Saturday, Pierre Gasly could not maintain the pace on Sunday despite a spirited defense against Russell at the start. Dropping from first to seventh appears underwhelming in isolation, yet Alpine topped the midfield — a result the team would have gladly accepted pre-weekend.

    Franco Colapinto was left in tears after a bizarre error at the first Lesmo cost him a chance to challenge Gasly, though eighth place was likely his realistic ceiling. Regardless, Alpine departs Monza with a significant morale boost as it fights to reclaim fifth place in the constructors’ standings amid pressure from Racing Bulls.

    Aston Martin–Honda Alliance Exposed at Monza

    Aston Martin may have made significant strides in Hungary, but Honda’s in-season development has been modest at best, leaving the Silverstone-based squad thoroughly exposed at Monza — even falling behind Cadillac. Neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll reached the checkered flag: Alonso retired with suspected car damage, while Stroll succumbed to a hydraulic failure. For this partnership, 2027 cannot arrive soon enough.

  • George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    George Russell “not even thinking” of F1 title comeback; Kimi Antonelli “in control”

    Mercedes driver George Russell has conceded that mounting a Formula 1 title comeback against team-mate Kimi Antonelli appears increasingly unlikely, acknowledging the Italian’s 66-point championship lead is a formidable obstacle with only ten grands prix remaining.

    Antonelli Turns Monza Deficit into Dominant Victory

    The situation shifted dramatically at Monza. Starting from second on the grid while Antonelli lined up 19th, Russell had a prime opportunity to slash a 59-point deficit. Instead, Antonelli produced a stunning recovery drive, vaulting to sixth following the lap-six restart before setting his sights on the race lead.

    After passing Russell on lap 19 and exchanging positions several times, the 20-year-old capitalized on a timely Virtual Safety Car period. Antonelli pitted for fresh medium tyres, rejoining behind Russell—who was struggling on worn hard compounds—and hunted him down to claim a seventh victory of the season. The win extended Antonelli’s title advantage to 66 points rather than minimizing the damage Russell had hoped for.

    Russell Accepts the Reality of the Points Gap

    That decisive swing appeared to move Russell into a stage of acceptance regarding the championship fight.

    “Yeah, Kimi’s definitely in control of it and he’s deserving to be in control of it,” Russell admitted. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. I’m just focused on taking it race by race and trying to maximise every single weekend.

    “He’s performing incredibly well. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is. I’m just going to enjoy it from here on in and try and win as many races as possible.”

    Strategy Split and the VSC Turning Point

    Russell held no reservations about Mercedes’ decision to split tyre strategies. He started on mediums before switching to the hard compound for the bulk of the race, while Antonelli began on hards and moved to mediums under the red flag.

    Initially, the strategy looked favorable for Russell. Antonelli faced the prospect of nursing his mediums to the finish or attacking without a strategic safety net. However, the VSC intervention flipped the script, handing Antonelli a low-cost pit stop for fresh rubber at the perfect moment.

    “Well, [the hard] was definitely the best tyre to take to the end,” Russell said.

    “When I saw Max [Verstappen] and Kimi on the medium, I was feeling pretty good because I knew they were going to drop off more than me, so in that middle stage of the race, I was really happy with my position.

    “The VSC came out at that perfect point for the drivers to pull the trigger and take the pitstop. It would have been very interesting to see how the race would have panned out if there was no VSC.”

    With the title race tilting heavily in Antonelli’s favor, Russell has shifted his focus to race-by-race performance and maximizing every remaining weekend.

  • Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Kimi Antonelli Labelled “generational talent” After Italian GP Home Win

    Sky Sports Formula 1 pundit Naomi Schiff declared Kimi Antonelli a generational talent after the Mercedes driver produced a stunning comeback victory at the Italian Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Italian started 19th on the grid at Monza but sliced through the field, leveraging a mid-race virtual safety car to fit fresh medium tyres before hunting down and passing his race-leading teammate George Russell to win in front of the passionate Tifosi.

    Schiff: Antonelli Proved ‘Generational Talent’ Status at Monza

    Analyzing the drive for Sky Sports, Schiff emphasized the magnitude of the performance on home soil.

    “Today, everybody is so impressed by what Kimi Antonelli has done. And obviously, to have a home hero like him who clearly proved today the generational talent that he is,”

    Schiff highlighted the composure Antonelli showed after his pit stop to close the gap to Russell and secure the win.

    “I mean, not only did he climb through the field, but then after that pitstop, he had to close up that gap again, and he just did it. And he took the victory here at home. Incredible.”

    The Decisive Moment: Hunting Down Russell

    Schiff detailed the critical phase of the race where Antonelli caught Russell, who was managing older hard tyres while also battling Max Verstappen early on.

    “It took him about six or seven laps before he was behind George. Obviously, George and Max were going at it as well in the beginning. And then I just had a feeling in my heart like, ‘Oh gosh, if George looks in the mirrors now and realises his team-mate is already behind him, oh my God, I would have sunk a little bit in that moment.’”

    Record-Breaking Start to Second Season

    The Monza triumph marks Antonelli’s seventh career Grand Prix victory in only his second season. He became the youngest driver to lead the championship standings after securing back-to-back wins at the Chinese Grand Prix and Japanese Grand Prix. He added four more victories before the summer break, establishing a commanding 66-point lead over teammate Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • Martin Brundle: George Russell Must Question Mercedes Over Italian GP VSC Call

    Martin Brundle: George Russell Must Question Mercedes Over Italian GP VSC Call

    Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle insists George Russell must demand answers from Mercedes after a virtual safety car strategy potentially cost him victory at the Italian Grand Prix.

    VSC Strategy Hands Antonelli Monza Victory

    Russell appeared poised to close the gap to his championship rival and team-mate Kimi Antonelli at Monza. While Russell stayed out on hard tyres during a virtual safety car (VSC) period, Antonelli was brought in for fresh mediums. The 20-year-old Italian used the tyre advantage to carve through the field and claim victory at his home race.

    Brundle: Russell Must Question Team Decision

    “It’s been a very difficult day for George Russell,” Brundle explained. “He will have to surely sit down and talk to the team, and ask, ‘How did that happen? I was leading the race. Why was I not given the preferential cheap pit stop there?’”

    Antonelli took a power unit penalty at the Italian Grand Prix, putting him at the back of the starting grid and giving Russell a significant opportunity to reduce the deficit in the standings.

    “For the world championship, this was George’s opportunity to do something about the deficit, and the deficit has grown,” Brundle added.

    Schiff: Russell Likely Questioning Himself Too

    Former W Series driver and Sky Sports pundit Naomi Schiff echoed Brundle’s assessment. “I think maybe the reason we’ve seen him be so calm about it right now is because he’s probably questioning himself a little bit as well, and why he wasn’t able to get more of an advantage.”

    “But I think with hindsight, he will be asking questions, like, ‘Why did I not get to pit during the VSC?’”

    “Yes, he was on a different strategy and they wanted him to go long, but at the end of the day, a fresher set of tyres could have saved him the victory today.”

    Championship Standings Shift

    Antonelli, who claimed his seventh F1 win at Monza, now leads the standings with a 66-point advantage over Russell in second place.