Jenson Button: Fixing start issues will make Kimi Antonelli 'unstoppable'

Kimi Antonelli has won three consecutive grands prix and opened a 20-point championship lead, but his race starts remain a persistent weakness. Jenson Button believes that if the Mercedes driver can solve his launch issues, he could become "unstoppable."

Why it matters:

In a tight title fight with teammate George Russell, losing ground at the start could prove costly. Antonelli has dropped positions in all six standing starts this season, including slipping from pole to third at Miami's Turn 1 before a Max Verstappen spin helped him recover to second. The 2009 world champion's assessment underscores the gap between Antonelli's raw pace and his execution on the first lap.

The details:

• Antonelli has lost positions at every standing start in 2026, whether in sprints or grands prix, often dropping from front-row slots into the midfield.
• Mercedes took responsibility for a poor sprint start in Miami, citing incorrect settings that were partially corrected for the race itself.
• Button told Sky Sports News: "He's really impressive... the first two wins had a little luck, but he capitalised. Miami was extremely impressive."
• "He is struggling at the start, losing places every race," Button added. "When he gets that right, he'll be unstoppable."
• Antonelli is the first driver ever to win his first three grands prix from his first three pole positions, highlighting his qualifying strength.

What's next:

Mercedes is working to resolve Antonelli's launch procedures. If they succeed, the Italian's pace—already enough to dominate once the first lap is behind him—could make him a runaway championship favourite. The margin over Russell provides breathing room, but every lost position at the start risks handing momentum to rivals.