Kimi Antonelli believes his poor begin to the System 1 Japanese Grand Prix was ‘utterly his fault’ because the polesitter caught an excessive amount of wheelspin off the road.
The Mercedes driver consequently dropped to sixth on the opening lap at Suzuka, although he nonetheless finally claimed victory having lucked out with the lap 23 security automobile intervention.
It gave Antonelli his second consecutive victory that means he’s now main the F1 championship, regardless of race begins being a steady downside for him in 2026.
On the Melbourne opener he dropped from second to seventh, within the Shanghai dash he went from second to eighth, whereas the next day he misplaced the result in Lewis Hamilton.
Talking after the Japan win, he mentioned: “It was good to be again on the highest step. A really particular win and a really particular observe. However, on one aspect I’m very completely happy, on the opposite aspect I’m a bit disenchanted with how the beginning went.
“It’s an space the place I have to work so much, as a result of it’s positively not adequate and I’m simply making my life so much more durable. So, positively a whole lot of work to do nonetheless.
“However I used to be very fortunate, in fact, with the timing of the protection automobile, however yeah, then tempo was very, very robust and actually pleased with that.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Artur Widak / NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures
It does come amid adjustments to the race begin process although, as reacting to lights out has turn into extra advanced below the brand new 2026 rules following the removing of the MGU-H.
This implies drivers should rev their engines a lot larger for a minimum of 10 seconds to spool up the turbo, whereas additionally sustaining battery energy because of the extra electrical engines.
When requested what induced his wheelspin at Suzuka, Antonelli mentioned: “I believe I dropped the clutch a bit too deep, deeper than what I ought to have.
“The tyres had been additionally a bit colder, so clearly I went past the grip that was out there and simply misplaced a whole lot of locations.”
The 19-year-old due to this fact confirmed that it was “utterly my fault”, however Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was eager to not place all of the blame at Antonelli’s door.
“A botched begin. These children be taught within the driving faculty with automatics, so we have to train them the way you launch a clutch slowly, steadily and never too fast,” he jokingly informed Sky Sports activities.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Photograph by: Kym Illman / Getty Pictures
“However then he was quick. We’re not giving them the simplest of instruments, our begins have typically been a bit on the mediocre aspect and we have to enhance that.
“In that case, the drive had large affect of that automobile not going away. Appeared good with the wheelspin, however isn’t quick.”
Race begin issues aren’t simply distinctive to Antonelli both, as team-mate George Russell has misplaced 5 positions – 13 fewer than Antonelli – on lap one in 2026.
Learn Additionally:
We wish your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Workforce
