Hamilton ready to chase down F1 leader Antonelli after Monaco GP

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton is ready to "level up" his performance and chase down the dominant Kimi Antonelli, despite the 19-year-old Italian securing another commanding victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Antonelli's masterclass saw him become the youngest ever winner of the prestigious race, maintaining composure amidst a chaotic finish.

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He's doing a phenomenal job. He's got an amazing team around him... and for him in this moment to be delivering on the level that he's delivering, it's awesome to see. It just encourages me to want to level up and I think encourages everybody wanting to level up. He's only 19, so just imagine what the future holds for him.

This fifth consecutive win for Antonelli extends his lead in the championship standings to 66 points over his closest rivals. For Hamilton, his second successive second-place finish suggests a resurgence in form after a challenging start to his tenure at Ferrari. The result propelled the British driver past Antonelli's teammate George Russell into second place in the overall standings.

"He's doing a phenomenal job," Hamilton said of Antonelli, even blowing a kiss to his girlfriend Kim Kardashian after the race. "He's got an amazing team around him... and for him in this moment to be delivering on the level that he's delivering, it's awesome to see." Hamilton added that Antonelli's success "encourages me to want to level up." He also noted the young driver's potential, saying, "He's only 19, so just imagine what the future holds for him."

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But I'm going to do my best to try and chase him down for the rest of the year. It's a real privilege to witness it.

Despite acknowledging Antonelli's brilliance and drawing parallels to his own early career in 2007, Hamilton remains determined. "But I'm going to do my best to try and chase him down for the rest of the year. It's a real privilege to witness it," he stated. Although a fourth Monaco victory eluded him, Hamilton equaled the late Ayrton Senna's record of eight podium finishes in the principality. "To get another second place is such a great feeling, especially in Monaco, under the trickiest conditions," Hamilton commented.

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To get another second place is such a great feeling, especially in Monaco, under the trickiest conditions.