Antonelli avoids Bearman-like reaction to being chased by Verstappen

17:12, 17 Nov

byDrew Murphy

Kimi Antonelli remained cool in the post-race press conference despite holding off Max Verstappen in the final moments of the Brazilian Grand Prix to claim his best finish yet.

Antonelli’s career-best P2 at Interlagos came after battling with an impressive Verstappen, who had started the race in the pit lane.

The four-time world champion caught Antonelli’s car on Lap 67 but was unable to pass the rookie.

Kimi Antonelli on the podium in Brazil. Photo: Race Pictures

After the race, the Mercedes driver revealed his thoughts on what it was like being hunted down by Verstappen.

He said: “Way too stressful. I mean, obviously, when Max did the last pit stop and Bono told me the gap, I was like—ah well, I cannot say because they're going to fine me now—but I was like, "I might be in trouble," you know.

“He was just nine seconds behind and obviously, he was on new softs, so he had... I think this race he had very strong pace.

“He did an amazing job coming back, and he just put me under a lot of pressure at the end.

“I had to really push the tyre to the limit, and it wasn't easy. But I think we did our best, and I'm really happy with that."

Antonelli held back his reaction to being hunted by Verstappen, which Oliver Bearman could not do two weeks before.

The British driver revealed he was “sh***ing myself” in his wheel-to-wheel battle with Verstappen at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Oliver Bearman and Ayao Komatsu, Haas team principal. Photo: Race Pictures

In Mexico, Bearman was unable to hold off Verstappen, unlike Antonelli, but the Briton earned a career-best P4.

Bearman added: "Honestly, I was sh***ing myself going side by side with Max, but it's really cool to go wheel to wheel with these people that I've been watching since I started watching F1.

"And I had him in my mirrors for a long time, so it was probably the most pressure I've ever had in a race scenario.”

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