P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kimi Antonelli had another poor start in Japan
Mercedes F1 star Kimi Antonelli expressed being “really angry” after the Japanese Grand Prix despite claiming a race win, becoming the youngest leader of the drivers’ championship. Antonelli has been challenging teammate George Russell in the 2026 season, with Mercedes dominating the sport. However, his poor starts have been a recurring issue, affecting his race outcomes. Despite starting from pole in Japan, Antonelli dropped to sixth early on but managed to secure victory with strong driving and timely events. Antonelli acknowledged the need to work on his starts for a serious championship challenge, with Ferrari and McLaren expected to close the gap on Mercedes as the season progresses. The Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) and Mercedes’ power unit changes could level the playing field, potentially impacting the title race.
