Italy’s Kimi Antonelli, of Mercedes, finished second at the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix, won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. With this result he extended his lead in the drivers’ championship to 84 points over his teammate George Russell, who retired from the race with an engine problem.
Antonelli is 20 years old and in his second season in Formula 1. He is in the running to become the youngest world champion in the sport’s history and the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
After the race, the driver said he was not taking anything for granted and that Mercedes still had a lot of work ahead, but he was pleased with second place. He also congratulated Verstappen and Red Bull on the win.
At the same Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton came third after starting from the back of the grid, and his teammate Charles Leclerc was fourth.
