Andrea Kimi Antonelli insists Mercedes will avoid a repeat of the Hamilton-Rosberg 2016 feud
The Canadian Grand Prix may prove to be one of those defining moments in the relationship between teammates. For the first time, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli found themselves in direct wheel-to-wheel combat, pushing each other hard and occasionally taking risks, particularly during the Sprint race. Mercedes drivers remain free to race, but only as long as that internal competition does not spiral into the kind of destructive conflict that famously erupted between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2016.
Free to race, but with limits
Just hours after claiming the fourth Formula 1 victory of his career, Andrea Kimi Antonelli reflected on his intense battle with George Russell and the agreement reached during the post-Sprint debrief:
“Today I have to say it was a great battle, but there were still some moments that were a little bit on the limit. Certainly, after Saturday we cleared things up, and that was the most important thing. We are free to race, but obviously with respect, because you never want to crash with your teammate.
“There are still a couple of things to clarify, but Saturday’s meeting was very important.”
The Montreal weekend highlighted just how different the dynamics between the two Mercedes drivers are compared to last season.
“The relationship had already changed a bit, for sure. Now we are in a position where we are both fighting for victories and for the championship, even if I do not like talking about that yet because the season is still very long. Last year, we were never in this kind of situation, so it is normal for the dynamics to change.
“The important thing is that there is still respect between us. We do not want an internal war, because we want the maximum for the team and we want to keep a healthy dynamic. We do not want a repeat of 2016 between Lewis and Nico, because even internally that is not good for the team.
“The dynamics have definitely changed, but the atmosphere inside the team is still very good.”
Three years of experience in one
The changing relationship with George Russell is also a direct consequence of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s growing confidence and awareness of his own potential.
“I know I can beat him and that I can win, even though every weekend is different. George is incredibly strong, and he has always gone very well at this circuit. This weekend was more difficult, and I also feel that I did not perform at my absolute best.
“I do not think I was as decisive as I was in Miami, and I did not feel 100 percent comfortable. Last year, simply getting close to George and occasionally finishing ahead of him would have felt like a great result. This year, obviously, the story has completely changed, but I know I still need to keep raising the bar.”
Although George Russell’s retirement helped open the door for Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Canadian Grand Prix victory, winning four consecutive races remains an extraordinary achievement for the Italian driver, especially when compared to his results from last season.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli explained how much his previous campaign accelerated his development:
“Last year feels like I gained three years of experience in one. I went through so many different situations and learned a huge amount, both in the good moments and the difficult ones.
“That taught me a lot, and it is helping me this year. There is still a lot of work to do and many things to learn. Of course, having a fast car and a team doing an incredible job makes a big difference as well.
“But as a person and as a driver, I feel calmer, more in control of the situation, and much more aware of my potential.”
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