Antonelli after the fourth success in a row in Canada: “The race was a fight, but George and I don’t want to get to a battle like the one in 2016 between Rosberg and Hamilton, we want to try to maintain a good dynamic within the team.” And then: “I would like to dedicate the success to all Italian athletes: Sinner, Bezzecchi, the Olympians…”
It’s a tradition now. From the back seat of a car taking him to Montreal airport, ready to return to Italy on Sunday night, Kimi Antonelli takes the time to digest his fourth consecutive success in Formula 1 and comment on it at the end of the celebrations with the team. He had already done it in Suzuka, when the victory wasn’t enough to take away the frustration of a bad start.
Here, however, things seem to have gone better at the start. Are you happy with the changes made to solve the departure problems?
“Very much! I was really happy with the changes we made to improve this factor and I’m happy with the work I did with Marcelo Martinelli (Senior Trackside Control Systems Engineer, ed.), the engineer who works with me in managing these things.”
A victory that came at the end of a weekend of great battles with your teammate George Russell. What have you decided on future comparisons on the track after Saturday’s Sprint?
“In the meeting we had after the Sprint, with Toto Wolff as well, we clarified what had happened, and this was the fundamental thing. We will be free to race among ourselves, but obviously with respect. During the GP I must say that the battle was good but there were still some moments at the limit which will be important to talk about because you never want to have an accident with your teammate. The important thing is to do our best to work correctly in the team because we don’t want to get to a battle like the one in 2016 between Rosberg and Hamilton, we want to try to maintain a good dynamic within the team.”
I don’t like talking about the World Cup at this point of the year but the competition is there. However, the priority remains to respect each other”
But have things changed a bit between you after this weekend?
“Obviously things had already changed in part at the start of this year because last season we never found ourselves in a position to be able to fight for the championship. I don’t like talking about the World Championship at this point of the year because the season is still long but we know that we fight every weekend for something important, so the competition is there. But I repeat: the priority is that there is respect between us.”
Among the four races won so far, what place does this one have in your heart?
“It’s difficult to make a ranking, the victories are all beautiful! Obviously the first one, in China, was special because the first one is never forgotten. Miami, on the other hand, was important for me because in terms of performance it was the one that gave me the most satisfaction. At Suzuka I was going fast but there was the safety car to help me so it’s difficult to say whether, in the end, I would have won even without it. Here in Canada, however, the battle with Russell was good but his retirement due to a technical problem was not something you would want to see. What for me what’s more important on a weekend like this is knowing that I’ve shown that I can keep up with George even on a track where he has traditionally always been very strong. Now I know I can stay there.”
Do you feel more confident in comparison with your teammate now?
“Certainly now I know I can beat him and I know that I can win races, this gives me a lot of energy. Every weekend is different and here in Canada for example I didn’t feel 100% compared to George, I think I didn’t perform at my best despite everything during the weekend and it will happen on other occasions too but the sensations are good, the car is fast and the general condition is excellent.”
What has changed compared to last year?
“The rookie season was fundamental for me because in one year of experience it was as if I had lived three. I had a lot of moments, went through many episodes, both good and bad, and also understood a lot about myself. There is still a lot of work to do with the team but as a person I feel much more in control of the situation, much more calm and aware of my potential.”
You were on the podium with Hamilton and Verstappen, who also lifted you onto their shoulders in celebration. How exciting was it?
“It was beautiful, an incredible moment that I will remember forever. Lewis and Max were very nice, they complimented me and sharing this result with them was special.”
Is there a special dedication you would like to make after this victory?
“Obviously as always to my family, to my team and to all those who follow me and support me. And then here I would also like to dedicate the success to all the Italian athletes who have and are doing very well: the athletes of the Olympic Games, Marco (Bezzecchi) in MotoGP and Jannik (Sinner) in tennis”.
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