Hamilton Stunned by Mercedes' 'Mind-Blowing' Straight-Line Speed at Monza
Summary
Lewis Hamilton admits Mercedes' straight-line advantage was 'mind-blowing' as he could only manage sixth at Monza, while Kimi Antonelli's stunning win highlighted the performance gap.
Lewis Hamilton was left in awe of Mercedes' straight-line speed during the Italian Grand Prix, describing the advantage as "mind-blowing" after he could only recover to sixth place.
Why it matters:
The performance gap underscores Mercedes' resurgence and the challenge Ferrari faces in matching their engine power, especially with the 2026 regulations on the horizon.
The details:
- Hamilton started the race hoping to give the Tifosi a home win but was shuffled down the order after a first-lap battle with teammate Charles Leclerc.
- He praised the car's cornering grip but admitted it couldn't match Mercedes on the straights: "That thing just keeps pulling, pulling, pulling."
- Kimi Antonelli won from 19th on the grid, aided by a virtual safety car stop that Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur said wasn't possible for Hamilton.
- Vasseur explained that Ferrari lacked the top speed to overtake after a pit stop, forcing them to take strategic risks.
What's next:
With Mercedes showing clear straight-line superiority, Ferrari must find answers to close the gap in the remaining races and prepare for the 2026 engine regulations.
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