Kimi Antonelli Drops Three Places for 2026 Hungarian F1 GP

Kimi Antonelli has received a three-place grid penalty for the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix after the stewards ruled that the Mercedes driver failed to slow sufficiently under yellow flags.

Antonelli originally completed qualifying in fourth place but was summoned to the stewards following an incident at the end of Q3. Yellow flags were shown after Max Verstappen spun at the final corner.

Telemetry confirmed that Antonelli lifted off the throttle 16 metres earlier than on his previous push lap. However, the reduction in speed lasted only briefly and was judged insufficient across the mini sector.

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The stewards noted that Antonelli entered the yellow-flag sector 14km/h slower, but passed the incident site 3km/h faster than on his previous lap because he applied less braking into the corner.

“The speed reduction in the mini sector was less than one per cent,” the stewards stated. Antonelli’s time through that section was also only 0.03 seconds slower than his personal best.

The penalty guidelines recommended a five-place grid drop. However, the sanction was reduced to three positions because Antonelli did make an initial speed reduction and had limited time and distance to react.

Antonelli was also issued one penalty point on his super licence. The decision removes the championship leader from the second row of the grid for the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix.