Kimi Antonelli "a little disappointed" to have missed out on pole position in Brazil

Lando Norris against Kimi Antonelli. Perhaps one day it will be a title duel between two incredibly talented drivers, but today it's a head-to-head battle that animates the sessions of the Brazilian Grand Prix. In sprint qualifying on Friday, the driver Mercedes achieved a superb performance by setting the second fastest time, but he still needed more to go for pole position.

Nevertheless, the Bolognese driver came back strong in the Sprint, putting significant pressure on Lando Norris thanks to better-chosen medium tires, after the red flag, than the overheating soft tires of the McLarenIn qualifying, Norris dominated once again. And Antonelli was right behind him again, finishing just 0.174s off his first pole position. Formula 1.

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"I'm a little disappointed to be behind him again," the rookie regrets. “It was so close in the sprint race this morning, but it was a very complicated session with the wind. In qualifying, it was very difficult to put a lap together, but I managed to do a decent lap on the last lap.” he continued, after finishing 0.257 seconds ahead of his teammate George Russell, who was only sixth. “I’m happy to be starting second tomorrow. Of course, the McLarens are very fast, but it will be important to get a good start and maintain a good pace.” Antonelli anticipates.

His comments echo those of Lando Norris, who sees Mercedes as the number one rival for victory. The Silver Arrows triumphed in 2022 thanks to George Russell, in the first year of the current regulations, and will be looking to repeat that feat on a circuit where they have six wins. After narrowly missing out on becoming the youngest pole-sitter in Formula 1 history, Kimi Antonelli, at 18, can aim to become the second youngest winner in the category. To achieve this, he will need to do what he failed to do in Sprint: overtake Lando Norris to avoid settling for second place once again.