Kimi Antonelli

George Russell expressed extreme frustration after an engine issue caused a disastrous start at the Hungarian Grand Prix, dropping him from sixth to last place. He recovered to finish seventh but lost further ground in the championship to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings. Russell cited a series of misfortunes this season, including a battery failure in Canada, a penalty in Monaco, and a collision in Belgium. He stated he is 'past the point of disappointment' and hopes for better luck in the second half of the season. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the team's reliability problems.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:00 AM UTC

Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.012 seconds. However, Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri, dropping him to fifth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was also penalized for yellow-flag violations. The reshuffled grid places Charles Leclerc second, Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth. Norris’s pole marks McLaren’s first of the season after a major upgrade. The race is set for Sunday, July 26.

18 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 27, 08:29 PM UTC

Lando Norris, after winning the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, stated that all pressure is on championship leader Kimi Antonelli and did not rule out a title fightback. Norris sits fifth in the Drivers' Championship, 91 points behind Antonelli with 11 rounds remaining. He cited McLaren's improved pace from a major upgrade package and noted that Mercedes has made more mistakes. Norris also defended a pit priority decision over teammate Oscar Piastri, explaining he wanted to undercut to secure the win. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expects a competitive 'race of upgrades' for the remainder of the season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 10:50 AM UTC

Lewis Hamilton expressed regret over Ferrari's decision to pit him for a third time during the Hungarian Grand Prix under a Virtual Safety Car, stating it 'opened the door' to a subsequent five-second penalty for pit-lane speeding. Hamilton, who had just inherited second place, lost track position to Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, ultimately finishing fifth after the penalty was applied. The seven-time world champion admitted to making 'lots of mistakes' in recent races, having received penalties in the previous two Grands Prix as well. The result dropped him further behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who now holds a 50-point advantage heading into the summer break.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 03:30 PM UTC

George Russell has been forced to change his power unit ahead of the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix after a crack on his engine caused a water leak during qualifying. Russell qualified seventh but stopped at the end of Q3 due to a loss of water pressure. The change is to the same specification and does not incur a grid penalty, as it is his fourth power unit of the season, within the limit. Mercedes believes the leak occurred after Russell ran over an exit kerb at Turn 4. This is the latest reliability issue for Mercedes, which has impacted both Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell is 50 points behind championship leader Antonelli. The team has also fixed a software bug that caused a lack of straight-line speed and a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the previous race in Belgium.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 05:23 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton has been relegated from second to fifth on the Hungarian Grand Prix grid after receiving a three-place penalty for blocking McLaren's Oscar Piastri at the end of qualifying. Hamilton had narrowly missed pole position to Lando Norris and, while slowing after his final lap, impeded Piastri through Turn One. Stewards judged the blocking unnecessary and handed the demotion. The penalty promotes Hamilton's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc to second, world championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third, and Piastri to fourth. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur accepted responsibility, stating the team gave Hamilton late warning about Piastri's approach. Antonelli is also under investigation for failing to slow for yellow flags after Max Verstappen spun. The Hungarian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, July 26.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 04:35 PM UTC

The article reports that the Hungarian Grand Prix of Formula 1 is approaching, and Mercedes mechanics are conducting a 'dress rehearsal' for tire changes at the Hungaroring circuit. The team has dominated the World Championship, with Kimi Antonelli leading and George Russell in third place. The practice sessions are set to begin today, July 24, 2026. The focus is on gaining precious seconds during actual pit stops through meticulous preparation.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:00 PM UTC

Amelia Dimoldenberg's YouTube series 'Passenger Princess' returns for a second season on July 22, 2026, in collaboration with Formula 1. The six-episode season, produced by Dimoldenberg's creative studio Dimz Inc., features her learning to drive alongside F1 drivers Charles Leclerc, Franco Colapinto, Valtteri Bottas, Gabriel Bortoleto, Kimi Antonelli, and Alex Albon. Filmed during the Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix, the series builds on the first season's 289 million views. The article highlights how the partnership exemplifies a new model of brand collaboration on YouTube, where brands partner with talent-founded production companies to create original entertainment rather than simply buying advertising. Formula 1's chief commercial officer praised the series as a way to engage existing fans and new audiences, adding to the sport's portfolio that includes Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' and the upcoming 'F1 The Movie'.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 04:00 PM UTC

Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli will be one of five drivers sitting out first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday, as teams fulfill rookie participation requirements. Antonelli, who leads Lewis Hamilton by 45 points and George Russell by 50 points, will be replaced by Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti. Other rookies taking part include Leonardo Fornaroli (McLaren, replacing Oscar Piastri), Paul Aron (Alpine, replacing Franco Colapinto), Ryo Hirakawa (Haas, replacing Oliver Bearman), and Colton Herta (Cadillac, replacing Valtteri Bottas). Fornaroli, the reigning F2 champion, has been linked to a Haas seat for 2027. The session takes place at the Hungaroring on Friday July 24 at 12:30pm local time.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:25 PM UTC

On July 21, 2026, racing driver Kimi Antonelli posted a video on Instagram showing him surprising his father with a birthday cake. The playful moment involved Antonelli smearing cream on his father's face, as described by the headline 'Right in the Face.' The brief report from Bild Sport highlights the lighthearted family event, with the video shared via Antonelli's official Instagram account. No further details about the father's identity or the occasion are provided in the article.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 03:41 PM UTC

Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue, a highly regarded talent scout from Mercedes, to lead its junior program, succeeding the long-serving Helmut Marko. Lagrue, known as a 'diamond eye' for discovering drivers like Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, will be tasked with finding the next Max Verstappen. Interestingly, Lagrue nearly signed Verstappen himself while at Lotus but lost out to Red Bull. He has worked for Mercedes since 2016, restructuring their junior department. The move was orchestrated by Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, a fellow Frenchman. Lagrue is expected to start in 2027, with Mercedes likely requiring a period of gardening leave before he can begin his new role.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:01 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged he needs to improve his performance ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, following a crash during final practice at the Belgian GP that compromised his weekend. The Ferrari driver finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps, behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished just two seconds behind race winner Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton admitted he 'can't afford' weekends like that and plans to increase his focus. Ferrari is expected to perform strongly at the Hungaroring, a circuit that suits their car's cornering strengths. Hamilton, a record eight-time winner in Hungary, is currently 45 points behind championship leader Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship standings.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:00 PM UTC

Sky Sports F1 analyst Ted Kravitz explains why Ferrari has the best chance to challenge driver Kimi Antonelli at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix. The analysis focuses on Ferrari's potential performance advantage at the Hungaroring circuit, suggesting the team could be a strong contender for the race win. The article is a preview piece published on July 21, 2026, ahead of the Formula 1 event.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 11:00 AM UTC

This article from Sky Sports provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 Formula 1 team-mate head-to-head statistics following the Belgian Grand Prix. It covers all 11 teams, detailing qualifying, sprint, and grand prix scores between each pair of drivers. Key highlights include Kimi Antonelli leading George Russell at Mercedes with 204 points to 154, Lewis Hamilton outperforming Charles Leclerc at Ferrari (159-126 points), and Max Verstappen dominating Isack Hadjar at Red Bull in both qualifying and race counts. Other notable matchups include Lando Norris leading Oscar Piastri at McLaren in qualifying but trailing in race wins, and Oliver Bearman significantly outperforming Esteban Ocon at Haas. The data reflects the competitive dynamics within each team as the season progresses.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:30 PM UTC

Martin Brundle analyzes the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, highlighting Kimi Antonelli's dominant victory and ongoing issues for George Russell, including a clash with Lewis Hamilton and battery power problems. Brundle criticizes the current F1 power unit regulations that have dulled high-speed corners at Spa and Silverstone, calling for a major philosophy change. He notes the race was held in sunny conditions with a safety car deployment, and praises the circuit improvements but laments the loss of driver-defining corners due to hybrid battery charging requirements. The article also previews the upcoming Hungarian GP.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:10 PM UTC

Formula 1 heads to the Hungaroring for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break. The event, broadcast live on Sky Sports, takes place from July 24-26. Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship after his victory in Belgium, holding a 45-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. The tight, twisty Hungaroring circuit is expected to suit Ferrari, with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc potential contenders. McLaren, winners of the past two years, bring a major upgrade package. The article provides the full UK TV schedule, including practice, qualifying, and the race on Sunday at 2pm BST. Dry and warm weather is forecast for the weekend. The piece also highlights key historical moments at the track, such as Michael Schumacher's 1998 win and Esteban Ocon's 2021 victory.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:00 AM UTC

Kimi Antonelli, 19, won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes, extending his Formula 1 championship lead to 45 points over Lewis Hamilton after 10 of 22 rounds. The Italian driver admitted he could not have imagined this dominant position a year ago when he reached 'rock bottom' during his rookie 2025 campaign, which included a dismal run of poor results. Despite recent bad luck—an engine failure in Barcelona and a wheel-guard failure at Silverstone—Antonelli's pace over teammate George Russell has made him the clear title favorite. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff expressed surprise at Antonelli's remarkable consistency in 2026, while Antonelli himself remains cautious, refusing to relax given how quickly the situation can change.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 06:00 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton expressed relief after his Ferrari struck a mechanic during a pit stop at the Belgian Grand Prix, an incident that resulted in a €30,000 fine for the team (€10,000 suspended). Hamilton, who was given the green light to leave the pit box, immediately stopped the car upon realizing the mechanic was hit. The mechanic was unhurt. Hamilton's mind flashed back to a 2018 incident where Kimi Raikkonen broke a mechanic's leg. The stewards determined Hamilton suffered a 'sporting disadvantage' due to the delay, so no sporting penalty was imposed, and he retained his fourth-place finish. The result moved Hamilton to second in the Drivers' Championship, 45 points behind race winner Kimi Antonelli.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 04:45 PM UTC

George Russell says a power issue with his Mercedes left him vulnerable to a first-lap collision with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix, resulting in Russell's retirement from the race. Russell started third but lost positions on the Kemmel Straight before attempting to reclaim third from Hamilton. The contact spun Russell into the gravel. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for causing the collision, but Russell expressed more frustration with his car's lack of power than with his former teammate. The incident dealt a major blow to Russell's title hopes, dropping him 50 points behind championship leader and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who won the race. Russell had previously complained about power issues in qualifying and remains puzzled by his pace deficit to Antonelli.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:00 PM UTC

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, 19, claimed pole position for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds. Lando Norris qualified third but dropped to 13th due to a ten-place grid penalty for exceeding control electronics limits, promoting George Russell to third. Multiple drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll, also received penalties, reshuffling the grid. Antonelli dedicated the pole to his father. The race is scheduled for Sunday.

10 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 19, 02:52 PM UTC

George Russell has reversed his earlier claim that his driving style was the reason for his pace deficit to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Speaking after qualifying for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, where Antonelli took pole and Russell finished 0.5 seconds behind, Russell stated that the team has ruled out driving style as the cause after extensive changes. He described the situation as 'battling with one hand behind your back' and noted that the gap has been present since Austria, with losses of up to seven-tenths in practice. Russell qualified fourth but will start third due to a penalty for Lando Norris. Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok expressed confusion over the contradiction with earlier team statements. Russell trails Antonelli by 25 points in the championship.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 05:00 PM UTC

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who secured his sixth pole position of the 2026 F1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, acknowledges that starting alongside Max Verstappen on the front row at Spa-Francorchamps will be challenging. The track's unique layout, with a short run to La Source and a long uphill section through Eau Rouge and Raidillon to Les Combes, often makes the polesitter vulnerable to slipstream overtakes. None of the last four polesitters have won the race. Despite a recent dip in form due to reliability issues, Antonelli remains optimistic about his pace and tire degradation management. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted the difficulty of leading through Eau Rouge, while Antonelli emphasized the importance of a good start to maintain position into Turn Five.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 04:45 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton crashed his Ferrari at Turn 13 during the final practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix, damaging the right rear of his SF-26 and forcing him to stop on track. His crew now faces a race against time to repair the car before qualifying at 3pm. The session was topped by Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who set the fastest time for the second consecutive session, leading Lando Norris and Max Verstappen by 0.1 seconds. Hamilton, who was fifth fastest, apologized to his engineer over team radio. Antonelli, whose title lead has been cut to 25 points, is the clear favorite for pole position. The incident mirrors Pierre Gasly's crash at the same corner on Friday.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 11:35 AM UTC

George Russell, 28, is struggling in the 2026 Formula 1 season, trailing his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, 19, by 25 points in the championship. Antonelli has five wins to Russell's two. Before the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Russell offered a peculiar explanation for his struggles: he compared adapting to the new regulations—including a new power unit, tires, and car design—to being asked to draw the Mona Lisa with the original right next to you, requiring practice to replicate. Russell noted that Antonelli, with only one prior season in F1, has less ingrained driving habits, while Russell must consciously unlearn old techniques that once came subconsciously. Despite the gap, Russell insists he knows exactly what to fix based on data and aims to close the deficit at Spa on Sunday.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 07:17 PM UTC

George Russell, Mercedes Formula 1 driver, has struggled this season against his younger teammate Kimi Antonelli. Before the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Russell used a bizarre Mona Lisa analogy to explain his deficit. He compared adapting to new regulations (power unit, tires, car changes) to being asked to draw the Mona Lisa from memory—something that requires practice. Russell, 28, noted that Antonelli, 19, has an advantage because he only had one season in the old era, while Russell must unlearn old habits. Currently, Antonelli leads Russell by 25 points, with five wins to Russell's two. Russell insists he knows exactly what he needs to improve based on data and aims to close the gap further at Spa.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 07:17 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton expressed hope that Ferrari can reduce their deficit to rivals during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, despite admitting the gap in Friday practice was 'bigger than anticipated'. Hamilton finished close to Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice but was seven-tenths behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in second practice. Antonelli leads the championship standings, with Hamilton third. Hamilton noted Ferrari needs to improve in the middle sector. Verstappen, who topped FP1 but was third in FP2, said Red Bull's balance was good but unsure of further pace. McLaren's Lando Norris, second in FP2, faces a 10-place grid penalty. The article includes driver reactions and analysis of team performances at Spa-Francorchamps.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 06:30 PM UTC

The Guardian provides a comprehensive guide to a busy Saturday of global sports. In football, the World Cup third-place playoff sees France face England in Miami, with Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane chasing the Golden Boot. The Nations Championship rugby continues with Australia v Italy, South Africa v Wales, and Argentina v England. Cycling's Tour de France stage 14 features challenging climbs in the Jura mountains. Golf's The Open at Royal Birkdale enters its third round, with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler in focus. Formula One's Belgian Grand Prix qualifying takes place at Spa-Francorchamps, where Kimi Antonelli aims to extend his championship lead. The article details how to follow live blogs and updates across all events.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:06 PM UTC

The Guardian provides a comprehensive guide to a busy Saturday of global sports. The World Cup reaches its climax with the third-place playoff between France and England in Miami, following their semi-final defeats. The Tour de France continues with stage 14 through the Jura mountains, featuring challenging climbs. The Open golf championship at Royal Birkdale enters its third round, with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler among the contenders. Formula One's Belgian Grand Prix qualifying takes place at Spa-Francorchamps, where Kimi Antonelli aims to extend his championship lead. Rugby's Nations Championship also features multiple matches, including Australia vs Italy, South Africa vs Wales, and Argentina vs England. The article provides live blog details and key storylines for each event.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:06 PM UTC

World championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes topped the second practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, finishing nearly two-tenths of a second ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. Antonelli recovered from an off-pace first practice to dominate, while his Mercedes teammate George Russell, second in the standings, struggled to eighth place, 1.285 seconds behind. Max Verstappen, who led first practice for Red Bull, finished third but complained about gear shift issues. Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, outpacing his teammate Charles Leclerc who managed only 11th. The session featured two red flags: one for gravel on track and another for a crash involving Alpine's Pierre Gasly, which ended the session early. Franco Colapinto impressed in seventh for Alpine, while Oscar Piastri dealt with a hydraulic issue in sixth.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:05 PM UTC

Max Verstappen surprisingly set the fastest time in first practice for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, outpacing Lewis Hamilton by 0.145 seconds. Charles Leclerc was third, two-tenths off the pace. Red Bull, yet to win a race in 2026, showed strong early speed with Isack Hadjar fourth. Mercedes struggled, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli sixth (0.533s behind) and George Russell eighth. Antonelli is near his engine limit after a potential problem with his Silverstone power unit; a new engine would trigger a 10-grid penalty. Lando Norris already has a penalty for exceeding control electronics limits. Oscar Piastri finished fifth but suffered a late hydraulics issue. Verstappen's future remains uncertain amid talks between his management and McLaren, but a strong Red Bull car could keep him at the team.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 12:35 PM UTC