Mercedes no longer have the fastest F1 car, says championship leader Antonelli

Mercedes no longer holds the title of the fastest car in Formula One, with McLaren having made significant strides, according to championship leader Kimi Antonelli. This assessment comes after Lando Norris secured his second consecutive victory from pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix in 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.

Antonelli, who has won five races in a row earlier in the season, placed second, with Mercedes teammate George Russell finishing third. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc followed behind. Antonelli stated, "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, however, questioned Antonelli's assertion, suggesting that his own performance played a crucial role in his victory. "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," Norris commented. "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."

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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.

While acknowledging McLaren's current form, Norris pointed out that certain upcoming tracks might favor other teams. He noted that Ferrari is expected to perform well at their home Grand Prix in Monza, and Mercedes faces grid penalties due to an engine change. Despite these shifts, Mercedes maintains a substantial lead in the constructors' championship. Norris highlighted McLaren's exceptional high-speed performance, stating, "No one matches us in high speed, and that’s a good thing." However, he also conceded, "But the advantage that they (Mercedes) have to us in slow speed is also crazy. And therefore, I don’t have the confidence to say 'yeah, I can easily fight for a championship for the rest of the season.'"

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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 team boss Toto Wolff attributed their challenges to cost-cap restrictions, which limit their ability to implement rapid developments. "We are trying to evenly split that through the season based on our calculations of when we can bring the biggest updates and optimising the championship points," Wolff explained. McLaren principal Andrea Stella expressed anticipation for Mercedes' potential resurgence.

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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.