Antonelli details pace struggles in Zandvoort Sprint qualifying: “Very difficult”

Key takeaways

• Downforce loss: Andrea Kimi Antonelli suffered significant floor damage after running wide into the gravel at Turn 13 in SQ1, resulting in a loss of roughly 25 downforce points.
• Low-speed struggles: The Italian revealed he struggled with stability and confidence in low-speed sections throughout Sprint Qualifying.
• Team effort: Mercedes made quick repairs in the garage, allowing Antonelli to recover and secure 5th place on the grid, just 0.227s behind pole-sitter George Russell.

Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli was forced to manage a compromised car during Friday’s Sprint Qualifying for the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort. The Mercedes driver ran wide into the gravel during the opening minutes of SQ1, causing severe floor damage and a significant drop in aerodynamic efficiency.

The off-track moment at Turn 13 poked holes in the W17’s floor. Although the Mercedes garage worked frantically between qualifying segments to patch up the component, Antonelli admitted the loss in downforce hindered his performance, particularly through Zandvoort’s slower corners.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the session, the Italian detailed the impact of the early incident.

“[There was] major damage, I had a few holes in the floor. When I came back, they initially told me it was a loss of 25 [downforce] points. They tried to repair as much as possible, but the damage was definitely still there. I struggled a lot in low-speed [corners],” Antonelli explained.

“That was it. On the first lap, entry speed into the final corner was a bit too high, I lost the rear and went through the gravel, basically that was it. Obviously, it wasn’t easy to build back confidence. Still, I’m reasonably close. We have another shot tomorrow,” he added.

Despite the setback, Antonelli managed to place his Mercedes in 5th position for Saturday’s Sprint race, finishing behind Russell, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri. He remains focused on extracting maximum points before the team resets the car’s setup for main Qualifying.

“We’ll try to execute the best race we can. The front group is very close, so overtaking won’t be easy, but we’ll try to give our best even with the damage. Then, from qualifying onwards, we’ll adjust the car and try again,” he concluded.

Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort with Saturday’s Sprint race, followed by main Qualifying for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all track activities live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our news page.

Sprint Qualifying Top 5 Results: Dutch Grand Prix 2026

Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026

Broadcast guide: Where to watch in the United States

• United States (Eastern Time / ET)
  • Broadcaster: Apple TV
  • Sprint Race: Saturday, August 22 – 06:00 ET
  • Qualifying: Saturday, August 22 – 10:00 ET
  • Race: Sunday, August 23 – 09:00 ET

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Where will Andrea Kimi Antonelli start the Dutch GP Sprint race?

Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start 5th on the grid for Saturday’s Sprint race at Circuit Zandvoort.

2. What caused Antonelli’s car damage in SQ1?

Antonelli entered the final corner too fast during SQ1, losing the rear end of his Mercedes W17 and running wide into the gravel trap.

3. Did Toto Wolff comment on Antonelli’s incident?

Yes, Toto Wolff confirmed the initial loss of 20 to 25 downforce points, noting that team mechanics performed emergency repairs during the session.