Kimi Antonelli believes that Ferrari is at a new level of speed in Monza. After the introduction of the engine update for the Italian GP, the Mercedes driver stated that the Italian team managed to eliminate the disadvantage they had been showing on the straights and now appears on the same level as the German rivals.
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Top speed was one of Ferrari’s main complaints throughout the season. While Mercedes was the benchmark for much of the first half of the championship, especially on the straight sections, the Italian team maintained that their performance was hindered in this aspect. For Antonelli, however, the scenario changed with the new power unit:
“Ferrari has definitely taken a step forward with the new engine, and now the speeds are the same,” Antonelli said after the first practice sessions of the Italian GP this Friday (4th).
The change raises expectations for the fight for pole position in Monza. According to the Italian, Ferrari also shows strong performance in the corners, which could make the battle even more balanced in qualifying: “We know how good their car is in the corners. So, for sure, it will be a tight fight for pole tomorrow.”
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Ferrari chose its own circuit to debut the new engine precisely in search of another victory this season. So far, the Italian team has won two races in the championship.
Antonelli, on the other hand, will have a different situation on Sunday. The Mercedes driver will start from the back of the grid after receiving a new power unit and will need to climb through the field on Sunday.
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