(Motorsport-Total.com) – Although Kimi Antonelli starts from pole position at the British Grand Prix, both Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are right behind the championship leader. Accordingly, the 19-year-old expects the combined power of both Maranello cars in Silverstone.
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“It won’t be easy,” were his words after qualifying. “I have two Ferraris behind me, and they will certainly work together. And their pace is good, but ours was strong in the sprint race. Hopefully, we can keep them behind us tomorrow and deliver a good race.”
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Lewis Hamilton echoes similar sentiments after qualifying and emphasizes: “It’s certainly fantastic to have both of us [right behind Kimi]. Whether we can keep up with Kimi will only be seen tomorrow. But hopefully, we can play a bit with strategy and work together as a team to beat them. We will certainly give our best.”
Little optimism from Hamilton
However, Hamilton does not sound particularly optimistic. When asked how confident he will be going into tomorrow and whether he can beat the man to his right [Antonelli], the seven-time world champion answers:
“Well, we couldn’t do that this morning either, and I don’t think that will really change. He was even faster than me earlier today than yesterday. So nothing has changed since this morning, and nothing will change between today and tomorrow. We will do our best to keep up with [Mercedes], but if he gets a clear track, then he’s gone.”
Race decision at the start?
Consequently, the start in Silverstone plays a crucial role. This is Antonelli’s answer to the question of what will be the biggest challenge on race day: “I mean, a good start, just like today.”
“I mean,” says Antonelli, “I have the two behind me, and they were very fast today, especially at the beginning of the race. So I have to try to get a good start, find a good rhythm, and hopefully achieve a good result.”
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“Otherwise,” explains the Mercedes driver, “I just have to focus on the race and make the most of my opportunities.”
The championship leader admits that Mercedes had the faster car in the sprint. Especially the better tire management played into the hands of the Silver Arrows, particularly Antonelli.
Ferrari learns from Spielberg mistakes
Charles Leclerc also speaks after qualifying in Silverstone. He is confronted with statements from team principal Frederic Vasseur, who said the team focused too much on Mercedes in Austria. The result? Both Ferraris finished not only behind the Silver Arrows but also behind Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.
“I think we are very focused on ourselves here,” explains Leclerc. “That is currently the most important thing we have to do. For the race, you definitely have goals and a clear idea of who you are battling. Then you align your strategy accordingly.”
“I think,” says Leclerc, “that maybe we didn’t do a good job in Austria. But we approach this with an optimistic attitude, rather than the opposite. But that is certainly a matter of fine-tuning. Above all, we have to focus on ourselves, that is the most important.”
Leclerc is probably not too unhappy with the result in Silverstone. For the first time in weeks, “Il Predestinato” starts ahead of Hamilton in a Grand Prix, although Antonelli was more than a tenth of a second slower in qualifying.
Read more Formula 1 Live Ticker: Sprint and Qualifying in Silverstone live!