Antonelli concedes Mercedes no longer has the fastest F1 car

Kimi Antonelli has conceded that Mercedes is no longer the fastest team in Formula 1, acknowledging that McLaren has taken a significant step forward with its recent upgrade package. The admission comes after Lando Norris claimed back-to-back victories, leaving Antonelli to settle for second at the Dutch Grand Prix while still extending his championship lead to 59 points.

Why it matters:

Mercedes dominated the opening half of the season, building healthy leads in both championships. But McLaren’s aggressive development, particularly the major upgrade introduced in Hungary, has shifted the competitive balance. With Antonelli still leading the standings, the team’s ability to respond will determine whether he can hold off Norris in the title fight.

The details:

• “For sure, we’re clearly not the fastest car anymore on the grid,” Antonelli told media including RacingNews365. “We’re probably second or third, at least in today’s race, and McLaren has taken a huge step, especially since Hungary.”
• McLaren’s upgrade has made Norris the only driver besides Antonelli to win consecutive races this season.
• At Zandvoort, Antonelli finished second, limiting the damage to his championship lead despite McLaren’s pace advantage.

What's next:

Antonelli says Mercedes is working "super hard" on a new package that could swing the momentum back in their favor. He acknowledged the upcoming races will be challenging, but expressed confidence in the team's ability to maximize opportunities and regain the upper hand. The next round will be a critical test of whether Mercedes can close the gap or whether McLaren’s momentum will continue.