Kimi Antonelli has stated that the situation is now “all clear” with team mate George Russell following their Sprint clash in Canada after the pair had a chat afterwards, with the Italian explaining that they are still “free to race” as they prepare to share the front row again on Sunday.
A feisty battle unfolded between the Mercedes duo during the 100km dash, during which they made contact before Antonelli subsequently slipped backwards by one position, leading to some aggrieved radio messages from the championship leader.The Silver Arrows drivers went on to again secure first and second on the grid as Qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix played out hours later, with Russell surging to pole position by just 0.068s from Antonelli.
Asked after the session if he had found time to speak with Russell and the team about the events of the Sprint during the gap before Qualifying, Antonelli answered: “Yeah of course, we had a chat with George and Toto [Wolff] and now it’s all clear.”Expanding on this further, the 19-year-old added: “We clarified about the race. We recognised our own mistakes, so now obviously we’re free to race but of course we need to race with respect.”
All eyes will be on the pair and whether they follow this approach when they line up for Sunday’s race. Qualifying for the Grand Prix proved trickier for Mercedes than Friday’s Sprint Qualifying had, however, leaving Antonelli to wonder what could have been.
“It’s the same gap as yesterday so obviously it’s a pity, but I think overall it was still a decent session,” he explained.
“It was very tricky to get tyres in the right window, but we tried our best. That last lap, I finished it and then I was a bit… not too sure. It felt like ‘I wish I had another run’, but it is what it is. George did a great lap, and now I will try to get it back tomorrow.”
