(Motorsport-Total.com) – Andrea Kimi Antonelli explains how Mercedes allows him and George Russell free racing. However, the Italian promises that their internal team rivalry will not reach the extent of the historic rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. According to Antonelli, the team grants both drivers the necessary freedom on the track, with the duo determined not to let it escalate like in the notorious era of Hamilton and Rosberg.
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The 19-year-old spoke during a press conference in Brisighella as he received the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. The award, established in 1992 in honor of the late Ferrari driver who tragically died after an accident at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix, recognizes those who have delivered a “commendable performance in motorsport.”
Regarding the current dynamics within the Brackley team, the youngster revealed that management trusts the duo to race on track without strict team orders.
Free but fair racing
“The team wants us to race freely because they know very well—especially in the position we are in now—that the team cannot put us on a leash,” he said during the press conference. “But they also want to ensure that no unpleasant situation arises. If they feel that, they will tell us in the next races to take it a bit easier. For now, they let us race freely because they also trust us.”
“We don’t want to repeat a scenario like with Lewis [Hamilton] and [Nico] Rosberg, where the atmosphere inside the team wasn’t the best. Of course, we will race hard against each other, but we will try to be as fair as possible and avoid accidents or contacts because we also want the best for the team. We want Mercedes to win,” Antonelli makes clear. “We will definitely fight against each other, but in a fair way.”
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These statements followed a tension-filled weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix, where the battle between Antonelli and Russell intensified. Antonelli’s frustration boiled over during the sprint race when he accused his teammate of pushing him off the track.
Antonelli wants to seize his chance
After talks behind closed doors, the two drivers delivered close and exciting racing in the Grand Prix, until Russell was forced to retire due to battery problems.
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“[Racing in F1] is like being in a shark tank. You eat or get eaten. You have to be aggressive, of course in the right dose. In Canada, I was aggressive, maybe a bit too much,” said Antonelli, whose talent is repeatedly praised.
“If a similar situation arises again, we have to be more prudent,” Antonelli continued. “But it is right for me to be aggressive now because at the moment I am racing for wins, I am competing for wins. It is still too early to talk about the championship, but I am right up there in the overall standings. It is one of those opportunities that don’t come every day, so I want to make the most of it.”
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