Andrea Kimi Antonelli has frankly stated that Mercedes is “clearly not the fastest car” on the Formula 1 grid, after both its cars failed to topple Lando Norris in the Dutch Grand Prix.
The Italian extended his title advantage over teammate George Russell with second place at the final race to be held at Zandvoort, with the Brit third.
But neither could displace Norris, who took secured his back-to-back triumph after a race that was restarted after Max Verstappen’s shocking first lap shunt.
Antonelli has profited from a superior package in the W17 so far this season, but with Norris taking his second win of the season, it is clear that the German marque does not hold monopoly on the remainder of the field.
Speaking after the race, Antonelli has identified the Woking-based squad as a vastly-improved team since the MCL40 received a new upgrades package in both Hungary and Zandvoort.
“I mean for sure we’re clearly not the fastest car anymore on the grid,” he told media, including Motorsport Week. “We’re probably second or third, at least in today’s race, and McLaren has taken a huge step, especially since Hungary, since the big upgrade package they brought.
“But I’m confident with the team.”
Mercedes will be inching closer to upgrades of its own, and Antonelli is confident that it will give the team “the upper hand” once implemented, to help sustain his cushion in the Drivers’ Championship.
“The team has been working super hard on this next package that is coming up and they just want to make sure that it’s going to work out well once we put it on.
“So for sure in this race, it’s going to be more difficult, it’s going to be challenging, but we’re ready to do our best and to maximise every opportunity and then hopefully when it’s going to be our turn to break the package it’s going to give us a little bit the upper hand again.”
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