Kimi Antonelli explains 'weird feeling' after 'strict' Max Verstappen instruction

Kimi Antonelli has explained how his Italian Grand Prix qualifying was a "weird" experience and how Max Verstappen nearly ruined Mercedes' plans. 

With the Italian taking a back-of-the-grid penalty for an engine change, he was not a contender for pole position, and so his job was to 'tow' George Russell, with the slipstream proving even more important than usual at the energy-starved Monza.

As Mercedes tried to choreograph the tow in Q3, Antonelli found himself in the middle of Verstappen and Russell - with Verstappen attempting to slow down and allow Antonelli to pass, which would have ruined Mercedes' plans. 

Antonelli stayed behind, with Russell being pipped to pole by Pierre Gasly as the Italian dropped to 20th for his home race once the penalty was applied, with Alex Albon and Liam Lawson behind having also taken penalties for engine parts.

Reflecting, Antonelli, who holds a 59-point championship lead going into the race, recalled how he was "strictly told" not to pass the Red Bull in a "weird" session. 

"It was a very weird feeling, but I had to do my job, which was to help George, and I tried my best in order to help as much as possible," Antonelli told media, including RacingNews365. 

"But of course, Q3 was very weird and even the lap I did, it was an okay lap, but nothing special as I had more fuel in the car than what you would normally have, and I didn't want to make any mistakes that would compromise the programme - which was to give the tow to George on the last lap as well. 

"So obviously mixed feelings, but it is what it is. 

"[Max Verstappen did try to let me overtake], but I was very strictly told not to pass, so it was a bit tricky because I was in the middle, and I didn't know what to do, but I stayed behind just to give George the best tow as possible. 

"On the cooldown lap, it's really hard to build boost, so it was quite stressful being let by the whole group with no boost. In some places I was going really slowly, and I had to do really odd lines in order not to get in someone's way, so I think that was much more stressful than giving the tow to George."