Kimi Antonelli praised Mercedes’ “really risky” strategy that vaulted him through the pack and eventually into a podium finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Antonelli was one of the drivers who fell victim to the wet conditions in Qualifying, suffering a Q1 exit that presented him with an uphill task in the Grand Prix. But a gamble on an early pit stop proved exactly what was needed, as he fitted hard tyres at the end of Lap 2, and continued to the flag, taking advantage of the minimal degradation to finish in third place.
His progress was aided by the post-race disqualification of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri – this promoting him from fifth to third – an outcome which also negated a five-second penalty for a false start which had initially put him behind Piastri.
“I’m really happy with that,” said Antonelli, speaking prior to the disqualifications of the McLaren duo. “I think the strategy was really risky. I was a bit concerned half way through the race, because the graining started to appear, and I wasn’t so sure I was able to make it to the end.
“But then I got the team radio that we were moving to Plan B, so the plan was to finish with that set, and I was just trying to manage in the best way possible, and eventually, the graining started to clean up and the time just kept coming and coming, and we were able to keep Oscar and Charles behind.
“Of course, with the penalty, it was a bit unlucky that I lost fourth place, but still a strong result.”
Following his podium last time out in Brazil, the Italian has continued to show improved form following a difficult European phase of the season.
Speaking before the confirmation that he had recorded back-to-back podium appearances, Antonelli said of his weekend: “The feeling is getting better and better in the car, and I’ve been enjoying quite lately driving the car a lot. It’s been, obviously, after Brazil, good momentum.
“Of course, yesterday was a big shame, I was very disappointed, but today was redemption, and I now need to focus on the next two because I really want to finish on a high.”
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