Antonelli Leads World Championship After Zandvoort, Credits Starts for Success

Andrea Kimi Antonelli solidified his championship lead after a strong second-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday. The Italian driver navigated the challenging Zandvoort circuit to extend his points advantage over rivals George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to 59 points.

Antonelli highlighted the critical role of his race starts, describing them as the key factor that "saved" his performance. He noted that both his initial getaway from third and his restart after a red flag, which propelled him into the lead, were crucial. "Two good starts, which is promising. It also shows that all the work we have done pays off," Antonelli stated, acknowledging the team's efforts while also recognizing room for improvement.

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The starts today have saved us. Two good starts, which is promising. That also shows that all the work we have done pays off. There is always room for improvement, but it has been positive.

Looking ahead, Antonelli expressed eagerness for the upgrades Mercedes is developing. He acknowledged McLaren's recent dominance and the need for Mercedes to enhance its competitiveness to maintain its championship challenge. "We have been waiting for improvements for a long time, but the team is working very hard on the next package that should be consistent and big," he said, expressing confidence that the upcoming developments will provide a significant boost.

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We have been waiting for improvements for a long time, but the team is working very hard on the next package that should be consistent and big. When we bring them, it will probably help us a lot and certainly in these races it is important to maximize the weekend with what we have.