Kimi Antonelli Drops to P7 for 2026 Hungarian F1 GP

Kimi Antonelli has lost fourth place and will start the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix from seventh after receiving a three-place grid penalty for a yellow-flag infringement in qualifying.

The Mercedes driver passed through a yellow-flag zone at the final corner, where Max Verstappen was stationary in the run-off area following a spin on the final Q3 attempts.

Antonelli still improved his final-sector time to secure fourth place. However, the stewards ruled that his reduction in speed was not significant enough to comply with the local yellow-flag requirements.

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The decision was based on Antonelli lifting by only a minimal amount and still carrying more speed through the corner than on his previous push lap.

The three-place penalty drops the championship leader to seventh on the grid. It removes the second-row starting position he had secured after Mercedes was beaten by McLaren and Ferrari in the battle for pole.

Lewis Hamilton was also handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri at Turn 1. The changes promote Piastri to third, with Verstappen joining him on the second row.

The revised grid leaves Antonelli facing a recovery drive from seventh in the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix after Mercedes had already struggled for grip during qualifying.