Kimi Antonelli leads the F1 championship by 43 points, yet the Mercedes driver insists he isn't thinking about a potential world title. After four consecutive Grand Prix wins, including a dramatic Montreal victory where teammate George Russell's power unit failed, Antonelli's lead looks commanding. But the 19-year-old maintains it's "still very early" and he's focused "race by race," stressing the need to "keep levelling up" because competitors, especially Russell, are "super quick."
His caution is well-founded. Russell out-qualified Antonelli in both Canadian sessions, underscoring the fierce intra-team battle. Max Verstappen echoed the sentiment, noting championships are won through consistency over a long season. Lewis Hamilton, reflecting on his own intense rookie title fight in 2007, believes Antonelli benefits from a stronger support system within Mercedes. This grounded approach might be key for Antonelli to manage expectations as the pressure mounts in what remains a lengthy championship fight.
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