McLaren Has Closed the Gap, Mercedes No Longer Fastest: Antonelli

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli believes McLaren has significantly closed the gap, stating that Mercedes no longer holds the fastest car in Formula One following the Dutch Grand Prix. Antonelli's assessment comes after McLaren's Lando Norris clinched his second consecutive victory from pole position at Zandvoort.

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We’re clearly not the fastest car anymore on the grid. We’re probably second or third, at least in today’s race, and McLaren has taken a huge step, especially since Hungary, since the big upgrade package they brought.

Norris, who battled with Antonelli for the lead after a race restart, secured the win. Antonelli and his Mercedes teammate George Russell completed the podium, ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Antonelli suggested McLaren's recent upgrade package, introduced around the Hungarian Grand Prix, has propelled them forward, placing them second or third fastest on the grid.

However, Norris offered a slightly different perspective, attributing his victory partly to his own driving. He acknowledged McLaren's improved performance, particularly in high-speed sections, but conceded that Mercedes still possesses a better all-around car, especially in slower corners. Norris expressed caution about maintaining dominance throughout the season, noting that upcoming tracks might favor different teams.

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I don’t think it’s true. I think if I didn’t get Kimi when I overtook him, I don’t think I would have won the race. For once I would give myself a little bit of credit that I feel like I’m doing a better job than everyone, and I think that can also make a difference.

Mercedes, despite the perceived challenge from McLaren, still leads the constructors' championship. The team and Ferrari are expected to perform strongly at their home race in Monza. Antonelli faces engine change penalties at Monza, potentially impacting his championship lead. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff cited cost-cap restrictions as a reason for slower development pace compared to rivals.

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We certainly have a car now capable of beating them ... but I think they have a better all-round performing car than what we do.

Norris emphasized McLaren's strength in high-speed performance, an area where they have seen the most significant improvement. Yet, he admitted the substantial advantage Mercedes holds in low-speed corners prevents him from confidently declaring a championship bid. Despite two consecutive wins and poles, Norris feels his current car is not yet championship-material, trailing Antonelli by 83 points with 11 rounds remaining.

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We have a strong car in certain areas. It’s not like last year where we were pretty good everywhere. We’re very, very strong in high speed, and that’s the place we’ve improved the car the most, is high-speed performance. No one matches us in high speed, and that’s a good thing.