Kimi Antonelli climbs 12 positions at the Las Vegas Grand Prix despite “a mistake on his part”

From seventeenth on the starting grid to fifth at the checkered flag, Kimi Antonelli had an (almost) perfect Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the exception of his mistake at the start which cost him fourth position.

The day before, he had been counting on a spectacular comeback after being caught out by the rain in qualifying: a bet that paid off. By the second lap, the number 12 had already gained four positions. Starting on soft tires, he switched to hard tires at the end of the second lap, which he then used for almost the entire Grand Prix.

He then spent the second half of the race resisting Oscar piastri et Charles Leclerc, particularly insistent in its exhausts. It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of risks involved in this strategy. We didn’t make any mistakes, and I’m very happy about that. he congratulates himself. It wasn’t easy, but the times came my way, lap after lap. I suffered a bit, but it was a lot of fun. I’m very happy we managed to do it. »

His start, however, was less than ideal, as he moved slightly forward before the lights went out. A costly mistake for which he received a five-second penalty. Despite this penalty, Kimi Antonelli managed to maintain his lead over Charles Leclerc in the race standings, although he conceded fourth place to Oscar Piastri. I didn’t feel like I moved. I’ll have to check the onboard cameras, to be honest. My feeling is that I only moved forward a tiny bit, and that’s a shame. he admitsIf I made a mistake, it was my fault. It’s a shame, but I tried my best. Today, we maximized the result. »

Thanks to George Russell’s podium finish and Antonelli’s fifth place, Mercedes consolidates its lead in the Constructors’ Championship ahead Red Bull et Ferrari.

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