F1 – Kimi Antonelli is Formula One’s man of the moment but Mercedes’ 20-year-old championship leader faces a Monumental challenge in Spain this weekend, along with all his rivals.
Fresh from becoming the first Italian since 1966 to win his home race at Monza, Antonelli will be entering new territory when the Spanish capital’s Madring makes its grand prix debut with a signature ‘La Monumental’ banked curve.
The second race in Spain this year, after Barcelona’s Catalunya Grand Prix, presents the first new circuit on the calendar since Las Vegas three years ago and is the last round of the regular European season.
It is one where the pecking order has yet to be established and drivers have only simulator data to work with.
La Monumental is a 550m-long high-speed 270 degree curve with a crest on the exit meaning drivers momentarily take it blind as they look up at the sky.
Mercedes, winners of nine of the first 13 races, are sure to be in the mix but can expect a tougher fight than Monza where they finished one-two with Antonelli now 66 points clear of teammate George Russell.
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