Key Highlights
- Kimi Antonelli lost the lead of the Brazilian Grand Prix after spinning at the opening corner on lap 20.
- The Mercedes driver reported an unstable rear end and suspected a geometry-related issue affecting left-hand corners.
- Despite his disappointment, Antonelli set aside his anger to celebrate Mercedes securing the Formula 1 constructors’ title.
Kimi Antonelli loses Brazilian Grand Prix lead after spin
Kimi Antonelli started the Brazilian Grand Prix from pole position and immediately took control of the race, moving ahead of Lando Norris. The Mercedes driver built a substantial early advantage over the McLaren, then retained the lead through the first round of pitstops as the dry circuit allowed the field to remain on slick tyres.
Norris’s undercut reduced Antonelli’s margin considerably, but Antonelli was still leading when he lost control of his Mercedes at the start of lap 20. The resulting spin at the opening corner allowed Norris to pass and take the lead, while Antonelli fell into the reach of Isack Hadjar.
Antonelli had already warned Mercedes that he feared he had a suspension problem and that the car was pulling to one side under acceleration. His balance difficulties continued after the spin, costing him further positions to Hadjar and Max Verstappen. No definitive cause was identified during the race.
Mercedes investigates rear-end instability
Speaking after the race, Antonelli said he was angry about losing a possible victory but was determined to focus on Mercedes’ constructors’ championship success.
“I’m very disappointed for the race. I’m very angry to be fair, but I’m going to put all this aside for now because the team clinched the title,” Antonelli said.
“We clinched the title for the team, and they all deserve it and I’m very proud to be part of this group and this team who has done and still does so much for me and I’m very happy for them. But talking about the race specifically, yeah, very disappointing.
Antonelli said the Mercedes had been performing strongly before the incident and that he had begun to find a rhythm after bringing the tyres up to temperature.
“We were on for the win up to that point. Also in the lead, once I was able to get some temperature I was getting to the rhythm. But yeah, the spin came which still is something I need to look at because I don’t know why I lost the rear so quickly as well.
“Like no warning, nothing. But already to be fair when I put the soft, I felt something weird with the car. So, we need to check what happened but on the other hand yeah, shame because we lost the race there.”
In an interview with Sky Sports, Antonelli explained that the problem appeared to be limited to left-hand corners, with the instability most noticeable through faster sections of the Interlagos circuit. That pattern would have affected significant parts of the first and third sectors at the Brazilian venue.
“We need to check something with the geometry of the car, of the rear, because I had this issue only in left corners. So especially at the high speed was when I was feeling it the most,” he told Sky.
“And the rear felt very unstable, even in coming into the finish line in the left kink, the rear was very loose, which was weird.
“We need to check something in the car to see if anything happened. But it was a very odd feeling. And then when I spun, the tyres were gone; all four wheels flat spotted. Only when then I put on the second set, we got back to pace. It was a shame.”
Flat-spotted tyres limit Antonelli’s recovery
The spin caused flat spots on all four tyres, making the remainder of Antonelli’s race more difficult. After Mercedes fitted a second set of soft tyres, his lap times improved noticeably and he was able to mount a late challenge to Hadjar.
However, the improved pace could not undo the time and positions lost during the spin. Antonelli ultimately had to settle for a result that did not reflect the winning pace he had shown during the opening phase of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Why This Matters
Antonelli’s account gives Mercedes a clear direction for its post-race investigation: the team must examine the rear geometry and determine why the car became unstable specifically in left-hand corners. The issue was significant enough to affect acceleration, high-speed balance and the car’s behaviour through the final left-hand kink.
The incident also underlined the contrast between Antonelli’s individual disappointment and Mercedes’ wider achievement. Although the spin removed him from contention for victory, Mercedes secured the Formula 1 constructors’ title, giving the team a major championship result to celebrate while it investigates the technical problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kimi Antonelli lose the lead in Brazil?
Antonelli lost control of his Mercedes at the start of lap 20 and spun at the opening corner. Lando Norris passed him for the lead during the incident.
What problem did Antonelli report?
Antonelli reported that the rear of the car felt unstable in left-hand corners, particularly at high speed. He also said the car was pulling to one side under acceleration and that Mercedes needed to check the rear geometry.
What happened to Mercedes in the constructors’ championship?
Mercedes secured the Formula 1 constructors’ title during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, a result Antonelli said he wanted to celebrate despite his frustration with the race.
