Kimi Antonelli's father said Monday that it will be important to stay grounded after the 20-year-old Mercedes driver came from the back of the grid to become the first home winner of the Italian Grand Prix in 60 years on Sunday, consolidating his lead at the top of the standings in the process.
    "No one expected it," Marco Antonelli told Rai radio, referring to the victory.
    "We went to Monza expecting to bring home some points.
    "Then (we had) a perfect car, a superb performance by him, and a result no one could have imagined.
    "Now it's important to keep our feet on the ground.
    "Reality must never slip away from you, because you must never stop or rest on your laurels if you are going to achieve results".
    With 10 of the season's 23 Grands Prix to go, Antonelli has 267 points, 66 more than his Mercedes team mate George Russell in second, and he is in a strong position to become Italy's first world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953 in only his second season in Formula One.
    "No one expected such a rapid rise, but (Mercedes Team Principal) Toto Wolff was clear: 'a year of experience, one of results and one to start winning'," he said.
    "Let's say we've skipped some phases, but it's thanks to Toto".
   
   

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA