2026 British GP: Antonelli’s pole, sprint, setback

Kimi Antonelli took pole position and the Silverstone sprint, but reports after the British Grand Prix said setbacks cut his title lead to 25 points.

Kimi Antonelli had a mixed 2026 British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone. BBC Sport reported that the Mercedes driver took pole position, while Autosport added that it was his fifth pole of the season and his first since Monaco. BBC Sport and Autosport also reported that Antonelli won the sprint after passing Lewis Hamilton.

The Grand Prix itself proved more difficult. Motorsport.com reported that Antonelli’s race was hurt by a penalty, a communication issue and car damage as his chance to fight at the front slipped away. Another Motorsport.com report said the result left his drivers’ championship lead at 25 points over George Russell and 32 over Hamilton.

Antonelli still left Silverstone leading the standings on 179 points, with Russell on 154 and Hamilton on 147. The Italian, who races for Mercedes, now has 33 Formula 1 starts, five wins, five poles and 10 podiums, while Formula1.com noted earlier in 2026 that he had become Italy’s first Grand Prix winner since Giancarlo Fisichella.