Italian driver secures podium, extends championship lead
Kimi Antonelli had a challenging yet rewarding weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The race, known for its tough overtaking conditions, saw Antonelli use strategic pit stops to secure third place on the podium. His performance allowed him to outscore both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, increasing his championship lead.
In Q1, Antonelli faced a demotion from P4 after stewards penalized him due to an infringement in the first session of qualifying. He started the race in 7th place but managed to gain positions as other competitors made their pit stops under Virtual Safety Car conditions. His race strategy ultimately led him back into podium contention and helped secure his top-three finish.
Strategy makes the difference
Apart from the strategic plays, Antonelli mentioned that he couldn't match McLaren and Ferrari for pole position, highlighting the overall difficulty of overtaking in this round. It was a stark contrast to the front-row starts he had become accustomed to.
Kimi explained: