Kimi Antonelli says he didn’t anticipate his beautiful F1 pole place for the dash race on the Miami Grand Prix.
The 18-year-old Italian rookie, who was signed as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s alternative at Mercedes, turned the youngest driver to take an F1 pole place in Miami.
Antonelli produced an excellent lap to outpace the McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris by a slim margin and safe his place on the very entrance of the grid for Saturday’s shorter dash race.
“I didn’t see that coming. I felt the lap was good and I used to be pleased with it,” Antonelli informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“There have been nonetheless a couple of bits I may have finished higher however I used to be tremendous pleased with how I put all of the sectors collectively. I’ll get pleasure from this second however give attention to tomorrow as a result of it could be good to repeat that outcome.
“McLaren, Ferrari and Purple Bull have sturdy race tempo however we’re fairly shut. Will probably be necessary to have a great begin, then set a great tempo with out degrading [the tyres] an excessive amount of.”
It marked the primary time this season that Antonelli has overwhelmed Mercedes teammate George Russell in qualifying.
Russell ended up fifth, 0.309s behind Antonelli after finishing his sole SQ3 lap sooner than his rivals.
“Each weekend I study massively,” Antonelli added. “Final week, having a break actually helped me to collect info and course of all of it and recharging the batteries, it was actually good.
“The entire qualifying I felt I used to be capable of make a step lap by lap. I am rather more conscious of how you can do a constant heat up and extract extra out of the tyres however there’s quite a bit to enhance.
“Each weekend I get extra assured with the automotive, can play with it extra and discover the bounds. On the similar time, I can perceive extra from the set-up and provides a lot better suggestions which permits the crew to enhance the automotive.”
Antonelli’s emotional celebration with father
Antonelli was seen embracing his father Marco as Mercedes wildly celebrated his milestone achievement.
“My dad has been coming because the begin of the season,” Antonelli mentioned of his celebrations together with his father.
“He’s like a rock for me as a result of I can at all times depend on him and it is good to share this second with him.”
In a separate interview, Marco informed Sky Sports activities F1: “In the intervening time it is tough to say what I really feel. After 5 races, it is unbelievable that he is on pole.
“Sure it is a Dash race however we now have had a great begin!
“We’re one household that tries to transmit that in life it’s important to work laborious, do not complain earlier than you perceive if you happen to did a great job or not, give attention to the long run.
“We’re a standard household. We work on daily basis and I believe we’re nothing particular aside from a household attempting to present their youngsters the most effective for all times.
“Kimi understood this and that is the outcome.”
