driver is at the moment the standout determine in Components 1 – and he’s rewriting the collection’ report books. Whereas drivers earlier than him had managed to safe both their first three pole positions in succession or their first three grand prix victories in succession, nobody had ever mixed each streaks. Antonelli has now achieved precisely that.
“It is a cool stat,” Antonelli stated when requested about his exceptional accomplishment after the Miami Grand Prix. “I did not know, however do not actually need to suppose an excessive amount of about it. I am simply going to benefit from the second. However yeah, it is cool, I suppose.”
Commercial
Learn Additionally:
Antonelli claimed his first pole place a month and a half in the past on the Chinese language Grand Prix. The next day, he secured his maiden Components 1 victory. He then continued that kind within the subsequent rounds: pole place and victory in Japan, adopted by pole place and victory in Miami. After simply 4 race weekends within the 2026 season, Antonelli sits comfortably on the prime of the championship standings – and has firmly established himself as a real title contender.
Commercial
From a purely statistical perspective, Antonelli’s achievement is a promising omen in two respects. Earlier than him, solely in 1985 with Lotus and in 1994 with Benetton recorded their first three pole positions consecutively. Each went on to turn out to be a number of Components 1 world champions, with Schumacher securing his first title in that exact same yr.
Nevertheless, neither Senna nor Schumacher managed to assert their first three grand prix victories consecutively. That feat was as a substitute completed by in 1993 with and throughout 1997 and 1998 with . Hill and Hakkinen additionally went on to turn out to be world champions – Hill in 1996, Hakkinen in 1998 and 1999.
Michael Schumacher claimed his first three pole positions in succession in 1994
Michael Schumacher claimed his first three pole positions in succession in 1994
The truth that solely two drivers earlier than Antonelli had achieved both of those comparable milestones – and that each one of them went on to get pleasure from main championship success – is more likely to additional validate Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff’s early determination to advertise Antonelli to the works Components 1 staff as a youngster. That gamble is already paying off handsomely in Antonelli’s second season.
Commercial
But Wolff was fast to mood expectations after the Miami Grand Prix. Chatting with Sky Sports activities UK, he stated: “I hope he can proceed on this optimistic slope. Most essential is to not be carried away.”
Nonetheless, Antonelli’s outcomes up to now provide Wolff each purpose to be optimistic about what lies forward: “He has […] the velocity. And now we add to that some extra expertise. I believe we’re speaking about numerous success sooner or later.”
To learn extra Motorsport.com articles .
