Monza: A One-Off Track
Kimi Antonelli's victory at the Italian Grand Prix was a significant moment in the championship, as he started from 19th and delivered a psychological blow to his rivals. He now leads George Russell by 66 points, Lewis Hamilton by 76, and Lando Norris by 96, with ten scheduled rounds remaining. While Antonelli is the favorite and could become the youngest world champion ever, the season is far from over.[S1]
Monza's long straights put a premium on power unit performance, where Mercedes excelled, even though the FIA ruled Red Bull has the best engine. Mercedes' deployment of electrical energy was not measured by the FIA, giving them an edge. However, no other track will rely on power to the same extreme, though Baku and Las Vegas have long full-throttle sections. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted that Monza is an outlier, with Monaco at the other extreme.[S1]
This weekend's new race in Madrid is an unknown, but the twisty layout should suit cars strong in corners, like McLaren and Ferrari. Azerbaijan can be chaotic, while more traditional tracks like Sepang, Austin, and Mexico should see a closer field, depending on upgrades. The development race is far from over, with most teams gaining performance from new parts.[S1]
Development Race and Team Targets
McLaren had a car capable of winning in Hungary and the Netherlands, with Norris driving superbly. Mercedes is not bringing upgrades until Malaysia, and Wolff warned against complacency, saying the car lacks the performance it had in Monza for Madrid. He emphasized that some weekends might not be about winning but scoring points. McLaren boss Andrea Stella said the realistic target is to consistently fight for wins until the end of the season.[S1]
Stella noted that tracks like Malaysia, Austin, and Brazil with long corners suit their car, and they have upgrades coming for Baku. However, he acknowledged that Baku and Madrid, with their precise trajectories and short corners, may not play to the car's strengths. He stressed remaining realistic and focusing on one race at a time, not being conditioned by the championship classification.[S1]
Pressure and Rival Threats
So far, Antonelli has shown no signs of cracking under pressure, displaying generational talent and speed. At only 20 and in his second season, most drivers would make costly mistakes, but he has not. However, he expects to be tested in the remaining races, whether due to the close field or rainy conditions. Antonelli said it has been a strong year, but anything can happen, and he focuses on what he can control.[S1]
He acknowledged that McLaren, Ferrari, or even Red Bull could be fastest at other tracks. If they have the fastest car for consecutive races and Antonelli misses the podium, Hamilton or Norris could gain double-digit points, ramping up pressure. The outlook is bleaker for Russell, who has the same equipment but lacks the pace to match his teammate, and it is hard to see how that changes.[S1]
