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Why Mercedes didn't pit George Russell under virtual safety car in Italian GP: "We didn't know which strategy was better"
Motorsport.com • • general
Key Points:
- Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid, benefiting from a strong drive, strategic pit stops, and a timely virtual safety car (VSC) that allowed him to switch to fresher medium tyres.
- Mercedes employed split strategies: Antonelli started on hard tyres and switched to mediums after the VSC, while George Russell began on mediums and stayed on hard tyres throughout, with the team uncertain which approach would be superior.
- Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed the decision to pit Antonelli was based on tyre abrasion concerns despite the driver's feedback that his tyres felt good, highlighting Antonelli's skill in managing long stints on medium tyres.
- Russell believed he had the pace to win had he stayed on the same strategy but acknowledged the VSC timing favored Antonelli's pit stop, and Mercedes likely split strategies to cover different race scenarios involving Max Verstappen.
- Following the race, Antonelli leads Russell by 66 points in the championship standings.
