MONACO : Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton praised championship leader Kimi Antonelli after the teenager’s record-breaking victory at the Monaco Grand Prix but said he remained determined to challenge the Italian for the title.
Antonelli, 19, delivered a composed performance to become the youngest winner in Monaco Grand Prix history, securing his fifth consecutive victory and extending his lead in the championship to 66 points after six races.
The Italian’s remarkable start to the season has drawn widespread acclaim, including from Hamilton, whose second-place finish in Monaco marked his second successive runner-up result and continued signs of progress in his second year with Ferrari.
“He’s doing a phenomenal job,” Hamilton said.
“He’s got an amazing team around him with Bono and Toto and the whole team. And then for him in this moment to be delivering on the level that he’s delivering, it’s awesome to see.”
Hamilton said Antonelli’s success served as motivation for the rest of the grid.
“It just encourages me to want to level up and I think encourages everybody wanting to level up,” he said.
“He’s only 19, so just imagine what the future holds for him. But I’m going to do my best to try and chase him down for the rest of the year.”
The Briton compared Antonelli’s emergence to his own arrival in Formula One in 2007.
“It’s a real privilege to witness it. Very much reminds me of me when I was back in 2007,” Hamilton added.
Hamilton had been viewed as one of the leading contenders to halt Antonelli’s winning streak and claim his first victory for Ferrari, but he was unable to match the pace of the Mercedes driver for most of the race.
A late red-flag interruption briefly raised hopes of a dramatic turnaround, but Antonelli maintained control to secure another victory.
Although a fourth Monaco win remained out of reach, Hamilton achieved a significant milestone by equalling the late Ayrton Senna’s record of eight podium finishes in the principality.
“To get another second place is such a great feeling, especially in Monaco, under the trickiest conditions,” Hamilton said.
“Just to be in his presence, in the sense of the eight podiums, is very cool. I still remember being young and watching Ayrton, and still today he’s my favourite driver.”
Hamilton’s result moved him ahead of teammate George Russell into second place in the drivers’ standings as Ferrari continued to show signs of closing the gap to Mercedes.
