Frustrated Antonelli explains costly mistake after missing Canada Sprint pole

Kimi Antonelli expressed frustration after narrowly missing Sprint pole at the Canadian Grand Prix, falling 0.068 seconds behind Mercedes teammate George Russell. The Italian clocked a 1:13.033 but called his final lap "bad," citing a lack of a proper preparation lap and cold tires as the reasons for the shortfall.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's near-miss highlights Mercedes' continued dominance in 2026—the team has locked out the front row in every race this season except Miami. For Antonelli, this circuit holds special meaning: he scored his maiden F1 podium here last year. The young driver's self-critical reaction shows his high standards, while Russell's pole marks a strong comeback after a difficult Miami outing.

The details:

• Antonelli admitted his session was messy, including a mistake in SQ2 that threw him off rhythm.
• He decided to go for his final flying lap on softs without a prep lap, leaving the tires too cold.
• "The lap was quite bad... still P2 and very close. The potential is definitely there," Antonelli said.
• New upgrades for Mercedes in Canada have given the team an edge, though Antonelli noted the balance shift requires further adaptation.
• Russell, meanwhile, was elated: "This feels great after a tough Miami, but I never doubted myself. It came together today."
• The pole is Russell's first since the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint, which he also won.

What's next:

The Sprint race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will see Antonelli start second, hoping to convert potential into a win. With Mercedes' package showing strong pace, the team aims to extend its front-row streak. Antonelli and Russell remain close in the championship battle, adding intrigue to the remainder of the weekend.