Kimi Antonelli: F1 race starts issue is "fundamental" and needs solution
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Kimi Antonelli reckons a solution to his poor race starts in the 2026 Formula 1 campaign must be quickly found - labelling it as a “fundamental” issue.
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The Mercedes driver has lost 18 positions on lap one across the first three rounds of the season, yet he still leads the championship after winning in China and Japan.
There are various reasons behind his lap one struggles, as a lack of battery power cost him at the Melbourne opener, while in Japan he suffered from wheelspin after dropping the clutch too deep.
Read Also: Kimi Antonelli reveals target for F1 spring breakIt comes amid changes to the race start procedure under the new-for-2026 regulations, as drivers must now rev their engines high for at least 10 seconds to spool up the turbo following the removal of the MGU-H.
This comes with safety concerns though, and changes have been made ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix where the FIA will test a so-called “low power start detection system”.
It is capable of identifying cars with significantly low acceleration shortly after clutch release, triggering an automatic MGU-K deployment “to ensure a minimum level of acceleration”.
Race start
Race startBut Antonelli still doesn’t think that will be the solution to his woes, as the 19-year-old said in Miami: “My issue is more fundamental, so I think it’s not that this tweak is going to help me massively.
“We have been doing some practice starts, of course, in the break. We’ve been working with the team to try and recognise what’s the issue and we seem to have found it.
“Now we’re trying to obviously think about a solution as soon as possible and then obviously we know where to work on for the solution.
“So, it’s not going to be that straightforward because it needs a change on the clutch paddle and a little bit on hand positioning as well, so definitely it’s not going to be as straightforward.
“But we are doing our best to find that solution as soon as possible in order to be able to do decent starts. But definitely, we recognised that my issue was much more fundamental.
“Now we’ll see in Miami if we can do a step forward and then obviously we have another break after Miami, so more time to work on and to find that solution.”
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli, MercedesMontreal is the round after Miami on the 22-24 May and Antonelli is expected to arrive still in a title fight with team-mate George Russell, who he currently leads by nine points.
When asked about how he’s coping with the mental pressure of his first F1 championship battle, Antonelli replied: “For sure, there will be a lot of pressure in case the opportunity comes.
“But we’re in a really good position and obviously the goal is to maintain this position until the end of the year. But for sure it’s going to be a tough fight because, first of all, I have a very strong team-mate who is up there and is always there, delivering the performance.
“And then, Ferrari, they’re close; McLaren, definitely we’ll see this weekend much better their true pace; Red Bull, they will definitely get closer.
“So I think on my side, I’m just going to try to focus race by race, not trying to think about the end result or championship, just trying to stay present in the moment, just trying to do my best and focus on the progress.
“I’m very well aware that it’s not going to be easy and that the pressure is going to be high, but I’m also aware that if I just focus on my things without worrying too much about the rest, then we can do great things.”
Photos from Miami GP - Thursday
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenRyan Pierse / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenRyan Pierse / Getty Images
The Ferrari front wing
The Ferrari front wingKym Illman / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson / Getty Images
Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal of Cadillac F1 Team, Terry Crews
Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal of Cadillac F1 Team, Terry CrewsBrett Farmer / LAT Images via Getty Images
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, FerrariRyan Pierse / Getty Images
Nigel Mansell
Nigel MansellMark Thompson / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingHector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 TeamAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariHector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 TeamJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingStephanie Tacy / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Racing Bulls team photo
Racing Bulls team photoRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariHector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, WilliamsSona Maleterova / Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, WilliamsSona Maleterova / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingHector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariChris Graythen / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamRyan Pierse / Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariRyan Pierse / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSona Maleterova / Getty Images
A general view of the paddock inside Hard Rock Stadium
A general view of the paddock inside Hard Rock StadiumGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingKym Illman / Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson / Getty Images
The front wing of the Haas F1 Team VF-26
The front wing of the Haas F1 Team VF-26Stefano Facchin / Alessio Morgese / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsRyan Pierse / Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsHector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineHector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariRyan Pierse / Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 TeamAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingChris Graythen / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariClive Mason / Getty Images
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