Kimi Antonelli has been carrying a key problem throughout the opening three races of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli has explained the actions Mercedes is taking to address the “fundamental” start and launch issues he has encountered during the 2026 season, where he has consistently dropped back from his front-row starting position during race starts, along with teammate George Russell. For the upcoming Miami GP, the FIA has made adjustments to the start procedure, permitting the MGU-K to offer a power boost for cars experiencing poor launches, overriding the previous restriction on deploying electrical energy below 50kph. Despite these changes, Antonelli maintains that his starting problems are rooted in Mercedes-specific issues and may not be rectified by the revised rules. He has identified potential solutions, involving adjustments to the clutch paddle and hand positioning, highlighting that resolving the issue will not be a simple task but emphasizing the team’s dedication to finding a resolution promptly. Antonelli remains hopeful that progress can be made in Miami and intends to continue refining the starting process during the upcoming break after the race.
