Russell flags crucial area where Ferrari still holds clear edge over Mercedes

The Mercedes driver spent much of the first half of the race running behind the two Ferraris, witnessing a fierce yet thrilling battle between Leclerc and Hamilton that ultimately saw the seven-time world champion come out on top and secure his first podium for Ferrari.

"I was just waiting for the two of them to collide and somehow they didn’t. It was some of the most aggressive racing I’ve seen for a while," he said after the race. "If I wasn’t trying to win the race, I’d have been enjoying the battle, but obviously watching Kimi pull away during those points it was a little bit annoying.

He then added: "Ferrari are definitely very quick. They’re quicker in the corners than us, slower than us on the straight, so it just made it a little bit challenging. And when you’re trying to get past two of them at the same point, that wasn’t straightforward.

After the race, the Italian acknowledged that the season is only just beginning and stressed that there is still a long road ahead as the team continues to push forward. He also highlighted the level of his teammate Russell, describing him as an extremely complete and competitive driver, and admitted that beating him consistently will require significant effort.

At the same time, Antonelli underlined how valuable it is to share the garage with a driver of Russell’s experience, explaining that he has already learned a great deal from working alongside him.

Looking ahead, he made it clear that his approach will remain unchanged, choosing to focus on each race individually before evaluating where he stands once the season comes to a close.