Kimi Antonelli on 'Stressful' Max Verstappen Challenge at São Paulo GP

Kimi Antonelli described his last-ditch defense against Max Verstappen at the São Paulo Grand Prix as "way too stressful," despite securing a career-best second place. The rookie driver held off Verstappen's relentless pursuit in the closing stages, marking his second podium of the season and a significant boost after a series of challenging results this year.

Why it matters:

• For Antonelli, this performance is a crucial confidence builder, especially after a challenging season. Holding off a driver of Verstappen's caliber under immense pressure proves his mettle and potential in Formula 1.
• For Mercedes, Antonelli's strong showing highlights their strategy to nurture young talent and could influence future driver lineup decisions, particularly as they look to the post-Hamilton era.

The Details:

• Antonelli, driving on older medium compound tires, faced Verstappen who had pitted on lap 54 for fresh softs, closing a nine-second gap rapidly.
• The Italian driver admitted his apprehension when told of Verstappen's pace: "When Max did the last pit stop and Bono told me the gap, I was like – ah well, I cannot say because they're going to fine me now – but I was like 'I might be in trouble'."
• Antonelli was forced to push his tires to the absolute limit to maintain his position, showcasing his race management skills under extreme pressure.
• Verstappen, despite his strong pace on new softs, ultimately couldn't find a way past Antonelli for the runner-up spot.

What's next:

• Antonelli is keen to carry the momentum and learnings from his successful Brazil outing into the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Mercedes is expected to perform strongly in colder conditions.
• His focus remains on continuous improvement, stating, "On my side, I tried to learn as much as possible every session in order to improve for the next one."
• This performance positions Antonelli positively as the season concludes, potentially influencing perceptions of his readiness for a full-time F1 seat in the near future.