Kimi Antonelli respects ‘wake-up call’ in F1 title bid before Dutch Grand Prix

George Russell piled the pressure on championship rival Kimi Antonelli after Dutch Grand Prix qualifying as the young Italian admitted he had been handed a “wake-up call”.

Lando Norris underlined his world champion status with a superb pole, backing up his win in Hungary before the sport’s summer break by conquering blustery winds and spots of rain to see off Mercedes duo Russell and Antonelli.

Russell had earlier given his title quest a much-needed shot in the arm by winning the 24-lap sprint, chipping three points from his deficit to title leader Antonelli.

The Italian, who turns 20 next week, still extended his advantage at the top to 53 points from Lewis Hamilton – with Russell now 56 adrift.

But Russell, who has endured a challenging season in pursuit of his maiden title, has returned from the sport’s summer shutdown with renewed vigour and was in bullish mood after qualifying second.

Antonelli has not been able to match his team-mate or Norris yet this weekend and again showed moments of vulnerability.

He has belied his teenage years to claim six wins and put himself in a commanding position to clinch his first world crown.

But Russell was ready to point out that it is the young Italian, sat opposite him on the press conference sofa, who has a championship to lose.

“I just feel more relaxed after the break, nothing to lose, pressure off and I am going to enjoy it,” Russell added.

https://x.com/F1/status/2091152063652614538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“I don’t feel in a fight, it is not mine to lose, it is mine to gain. That is the mentality I have got and I feel it is going to help me.”

If Antonelli is feeling the added pressure of having returned from the summer shutdown as the man to be shot at, he is not keen to admit