Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has relieved any accountability from Kimi Antonelli after yet one more poor race begin for the Components 1 championship chief in the course of the Miami Grand Prix dash.
The Mercedes driver dropped from second to fourth on lap one, that means he’s now misplaced 20 positions at race begin throughout the opening three grands prix and two sprints of 2026.
Antonelli finally crossed the Miami end line in fourth, however dropped to sixth post-race following a five-second monitor limits penalty, handing fourth to team-mate George Russell and fifth to Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen.
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It marked the primary time Mercedes has did not win this yr after it didn’t convey many updates to Miami, in comparison with closely upgraded automobiles for McLaren and Ferrari who made up the rostrum.
Wolff advised Sky Sports activities: “We knew that we’re a bit of bit out of sync with our upgrades which can be coming from [the next round in] Montreal.
“However we have been hoping that we would be able to maintain on now when it comes to fewer lap occasions we do. However clearly if in case you have such a nasty getaway, which wasn’t in any respect Kimi’s fault, it was a glitch on our facet – it is tough.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
The poor getaway got here regardless of Antonelli actually working arduous in the course of the April break to enhance upon his lap one fortunes, which had threatened to plague his in any other case profitable begin to 2026 with victories in China and Japan.
Antonelli advised Sky Sports activities: “We have been doing work over the break and on my facet for as soon as I did the whole lot proper with the procedures, so we have to examine what occurred.
“The grip was very low, in all probability decrease than we anticipated after which after that I used to be actually pissed off, I did not even drive nicely, I did numerous errors.
“I obtained monitor limits which is one thing that I have to keep away from, however this weekend positively has been harder, however was anticipated with everybody bringing massive upgrades. We’ve simply obtained to attempt to maximise the end result and deal with qualifying.”
The 19-year-old now leads the championship by seven factors over Russell with third-placed Charles Leclerc 20 off the highest, after he accomplished the rostrum behind McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri within the dash race.
Images from Miami GP – Saturday
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
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Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
Miami GP – Saturday, in pictures
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