SUZUKA, Japan : Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli said he wants to keep raising the bar after making Formula One history with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 19-year-old became the youngest championship leader in the sport’s history, taking the record from seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, whom he replaced at Mercedes.
Antonelli also became the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1953 to win back-to-back races.
“I’m not thinking too much about the championship,” Antonelli said after his second successive win, having claimed his maiden victory in China two weeks ago.
“Of course it’s great, but it’s still a long way to go. I think we need to keep our head down and keep raising the bar.”
Starting from pole, Antonelli dropped to sixth after a slow getaway but benefited from a well-timed safety car following a high-speed crash involving Haas driver Oliver Bearman.
The timing allowed him to pit under caution while rivals who had already stopped lost track position, helping the Mercedes driver regain control of the race.
Antonelli said the safety car had aided his chances but highlighted his strong pace on hard tyres in the latter stages.
He now leads the championship by nine points over teammate George Russell, who finished fourth after a difficult race.
“I feel he’s obviously a super, super strong, very complete driver,” Antonelli said of Russell. “That’s why it’s not going to be easy, and that’s why I need to do everything as perfect as possible.”
