Ferrari Told How to Beat Kimi Antonelli

Ferrari has been given key strategic advice to pressure Kimi Antonelli in the 2026 British Grand Prix, after Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton placed both Scuderia cars directly behind the Mercedes pole-sitter.

Antonelli enters the main Silverstone race with strong momentum. He first passed Hamilton midway through the Sprint to secure a comfortable victory, before taking Grand Prix pole position by almost two tenths of a second.

Leclerc secured second on the grid after out-qualifying Hamilton, while the seven-time world champion starts third. That gives Ferrari a tactical opportunity to pressure Antonelli, even though Mercedes appeared to hold the stronger outright pace across the last two competitive sessions.

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"Antonelli clearly has an edge on pace," Naomi Schiff told Sky F1.

"He's almost two tenths clear, so it's going to be a tough battle to keep him behind if they do get ahead," Schiff said.

Schiff suggested Ferrari's opportunity is not only linked to the start, but also to the possibility of splitting strategy between Leclerc and Hamilton. With two cars behind Antonelli, Ferrari could create pressure through different pit-stop timing, especially if a safety car or race disruption opens strategic variation.

"However, I think the one thing they may be able to do is potentially split the strategy. If there's any game-playing they can do, or if something happens, like a safety car or whatever, they could then put pressure on him by forcing him into making a decision to pit that isn't optimal for him," Schiff said.

Ferrari also faces an immediate threat from George Russell, who starts directly behind the two red cars in fourth. Jenson Button said Ferrari must remain second and third after the start to keep the chance of challenging Antonelli alive.

"That is very possible, and I think that's what they could really use to their advantage if they [remain] second and third behind Kimi," Button said.

The Silverstone race will be an execution test for Ferrari. If Leclerc and Hamilton retain their starting positions, the Scuderia has room to play a two-car strategy; but if Antonelli again shows Sprint-level pace, Ferrari must maximise every opportunity from the start, pit stops and any neutralisation.