(Photo credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Kimi Antonelli holds the highest spot within the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship standings, however the teenager seems to carry no illusions that he and Mercedes will run away from the pack.
Antonelli spoke to reporters Thursday forward of the Miami Grand Prix and predicted an in depth battle when the rubber hits the street this Sunday.
‘It’s going to be a really fascinating weekend for us,’ the 19-year-old Italian mentioned. ‘Let’s see how we do. For positive, (our rivals are) going to get nearer, and we’d should battle fairly a bit extra this weekend, however we’ll do our greatest and we will preserve our heads down.
‘On my aspect, I’m going to attempt to maximize the efficiency within the automobile, I’m going to do my finest and we’ll see what the end result shall be.’
Antonelli swept the F1’s two-race keep in Asia, profitable the Chinese Grand Prix and Japanese Grand Prix after incomes pole place each instances.
That got here after Mercedes teammate George Russell opened the season by capturing the Australian Grand Prix. Antonelli and Russell are 1-2 within the drivers’ standings, with Russell solely 9 factors off the tempo.
Antonelli mentioned Mercedes has been clear with each drivers about how they’re anticipated to deal with themselves as they jostle for a championship.
‘They mentioned we will race one another, however clearly with respect, not doing any silly issues between one another,’ Antonelli mentioned.
‘At the top of the day… We race for one another, we wish to win, we wish to be the very best, however on the identical time we wish the very best for the crew as properly. Me and George are very properly conscious that we will race one another, however with respect, and with out making an attempt to do any silly issues.
‘The crew has given us the inexperienced mild, as a result of they wish to give each of us the identical alternative. They mentioned we will race one another, however simply be clear.’
Ferrari is Mercedes’ closest rival to this point. Mercedes leads Ferrari 135 factors to 90 within the producers’ standings, and Mercedes drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupy the third and fourth spots within the drivers’ standings.
–Field Level Media