The team principal does not expect a top-3
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will face the Italian GP as the World Championship leader starting from the back of the grid. The Mercedes driver will have to race in recovery with the goal of limiting the damage compared to his direct pursuers in the Drivers’ standings.
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His teammate George Russell and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton are 59 points behind Antonelli who from the back will root for Pierre Gasly, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen.
The Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff does not believe Antonelli can aim for the podium because Mercedes will not take too many risks in search of a spectacular move.
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“Antonelli on the podium? I think that’s asking too much – Toto Wolff said to Sky – once you get past the group of slower drivers it’s not easy to continue the comeback. The performances on this track are very close and I don’t think it’s possible to get the podium unless you adopt a very different strategy and take some risks.”
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