The Bolognese rejoices in the triumph in Monte Carlo: “It’s one of those days in which we had a sensational pace. But we always have to raise the bar, I’m having a very pleasant moment.” Lewis: “He and Mercedes are incredible. Ferrari is nice but we need more motivation”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli enjoys the most prestigious victory of his young career, achieved in Monaco after pole position and race success. However, the Mercedes driver, who is increasingly leading the world championship, urges caution. “It was an incredible weekend, one of those days where we had a sensational pace. It all came very naturally to me, but it’s not over, the season is still long. We need to keep pushing and raise the bar”, declared the nineteen-year-old from Bologna after the triumph in the Principality. Antonelli then underlined the decisive role of the team: “The team is doing an extraordinary job and supports me a lot. I’m having a great time.” The management of the restart after the red flag that broke up the race was also decisive: “I didn’t want to restart after the red flag, but I tried to regain my concentration. Once I restarted, I tried to get to the first corner first because it was fundamental.”
never been better
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Then an important consideration: “Today was one of those days in which I felt better in a racing car – he told Sky Sport – I think only I could have stopped myself”. The most complicated moment of the race was the interruption with the red flag and the restart: “It wasn’t easy because before the red flag the pace was good, I pushed but not too much to keep my concentration. At the interruption I said to myself ‘nooooo’. The wait takes away your rhythm, refocusing wasn’t easy, especially redoing the start. But it went well and I enjoyed the last laps a lot. My confidence grew exponentially after the changes made to the car between Friday and Saturday. I didn’t know how I would have gone to the race, but after the first laps I realized I had the car in my hands.” They ask him what it’s like to win in Monte Carlo with the no. 12 which was that of his idol Ayrton Senna, the king of Monaco: “Let’s say that winning with 12 here is special. But we are only at race 6 and we need to continue like this. But we are doing a great job, there is a great dynamic. Now there is Spain, every weekend will be different, we will enjoy the party with the team but then we already have to work for Spain to return as we finished here, it will be important to put in a lot of grit and determination”.
Lewis speaks
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Lewis Hamilton closed behind Antonelli, recognizing the superiority shown by Mercedes on the Monegasque track. “I have to start by congratulating Kimi and the Mercedes team, they have done an incredible job. We are progressing, but we still can’t keep up with Mercedes,” explained the Ferrari driver. However, Hamilton highlighted some positive aspects of the Scuderia’s weekend, while indicating the areas in which we still need to grow: “The car is beautiful but we need more aerodynamic load. Then today we had a temperature problem, so various unforeseen events”. The seven-time world champion finally thanked the Maranello team: “I thank all the guys in the factory and we hope to take a step forward soon.” Jerome D’Ambrosio, the Prancing Horse’s deputy team principal, also complimented Hamilton: “Hamilton is becoming familiar with the car, he is comfortable. There is an important gap to Mercedes, but today he maximized the result. We are concentrating race by race. With Leclerc something didn’t work as it should, but we will support him as much as possible in view of the next races. We will go in the direction we think is best.”
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