Nerveless Antonelli continues record run with Monaco GP win

Teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli continued his record-breaking drive to glory on Sunday when he became the youngest winner of the Monaco Grand Prix and the first Italian to win five consecutive races since 1952. In an extended, stoppage-strewn race, the 19-year-old led from start to finish to claim a nerveless triumph for Mercedes that lifted him 66 points clear of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in the drivers’ championship. Hamilton, the previous holder of the youngest winner record in the principality, finished second with Isack Hadjar third for Red Bull after battling a threatened power failure all race long.

“That’s too many wins now, buddy,” Hamilton, 41, joked with Antonelli in the drivers’ cool-down room. His own career-best run of five wins in a record total of 105 had been equalled by the Italian in his first sequence following his maiden victory in China.

For Antonelli, it was more spectacular confirmation of a prodigious talent and momentum that has catapulted him to stardom this year. “It’s been an incredible weekend and an incredible race,” he said. “It’s one of those days when we had incredible pace.