F1 Leader Kimi Antonelli Hits the Wall in Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying
Antonelli damaged his Mercedes in Turn 1 and is set to start 16th, giving George Russell a chance to cut into the 81-point title lead.
- On Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, hitting the wall at Turn 1 and sustaining terminal damage to his Mercedes.
- The Italian, who holds an 81-point lead this season, committed his first major error of the title quest by misjudging the opening corner.
- After clipping the wall, Antonelli attempted to limp back to the pits but race engineer Peter Bonnington instructed him to park the stricken machine due to suspension and wheel damage.
- Starting Saturday's race from 16th place, Antonelli now faces a grid disadvantage that allows Mercedes team-mate George Russell to potentially close the championship gap.
- Despite winning eight of 14 rounds this season, this qualifying setback marks the first significant challenge to Antonelli's world championship pursuit.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Qualifications of Azerbaijan's GP finished in Q1 for Kimi Antonelli, who at the end of the session bumped against a curved wall, damaging the left front suspension of the...
Mercedes driver George Russell wins pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Kimi Antonelli crashes early in qualifying.
Are the nerves slowly showing up in the young World Cup leader Kimi Antonelli? At the qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, the 20-year-old already crashed in the Q1 and could not continue.
Damaged Mercedes and already finished qualifications for the world leader (ANSA)
F1 leader Kimi Antonelli hits the wall in Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualif
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Formula 1 standings leader Kimi Antonelli looks set to start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from far back on the grid after hitting the wall in qualifying. Antonelli clipped the wall and damaged a
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