Kimi Antonelli faces damage ahead of Dutch GP Sprint qualifying
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 4:35 PM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Kimi Antonelli will start the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint from fifth position, encountering significant damage to his Mercedes. After a mishap in Sprint Qualifying at Zandvoort, Antonelli reported that the car's floor had sustained 'big time' damage, causing a loss of 25 points of downforce. Although Mercedes made repairs, Antonelli noted he would compete with some of the damage still affecting performance. George Russell secured pole position in the other Mercedes, while the Sprint will see Antonelli contend with a challenging overtaking environment at Zandvoort.
- •Antonelli will start fifth in the Dutch GP Sprint.
- •He sustained floor damage after going through the gravel.
- •Russell claimed pole position with a time of 1:11.567.
- •Antonelli reported a loss of 25 points of downforce.
- •Overtaking at Zandvoort is expected to be challenging.
- 4:35 PMMotorsport.com — Kimi Antonelli: F1 Dutch GP sprint qualifying off cost "25 points of downforce"
- 4:35 PMYahoo Sports — Kimi Antonelli: F1 Dutch GP sprint qualifying off cost "25 points of downforce"
- 3:53 PMYahoo Sports — Kimi Antonelli Details “Big Time” Damage After Dutch GP Sprint Quali Upset
"Kimi Antonelli has revealed that his Turn 13 off during the Dutch Grand Prix's sprint qualifying session had cost approximately "25 points of downforce", after qualifying fifth for Saturday's 24-lap Formula 1 race. The championship leader opened the first stage of sprint qualifying and was running faster than team-mate George Russell, but faced a snap of oversteer through the penultimate corner ...Keep reading
"Kimi Antonelli will begin Saturday’s Dutch Grand Prix Sprint from fifth with a damaged Mercedes and no extra practice session available to sort it out. That is a much less comfortable position than the timing sheets initially suggested. After going…
"Championship leader Kimi Antonelli went into the gravel at Turn 13 on his first flying lap of Dutch GP sprint qualifying
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comAug 21, 2026, 4:35 PMKimi Antonelli: F1 Dutch GP sprint qualifying off cost "25 points of downforce"
Kimi Antonelli has revealed that his Turn 13 off during the Dutch Grand Prix's sprint qualifying session had cost approximately "25 points of downforce", after qualifying fifth for Saturday's 24-lap Formula 1 race. The championship leader opened the first stage of sprint qualifying and was running faster than team-mate George Russell, but faced a snap of oversteer through the penultimate corner ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 4:35 PMKimi Antonelli: F1 Dutch GP sprint qualifying off cost "25 points of downforce"
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli went into the gravel at Turn 13 on his first flying lap of Dutch GP sprint qualifying
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 3:53 PMKimi Antonelli Details “Big Time” Damage After Dutch GP Sprint Quali Upset
Kimi Antonelli will begin Saturday’s Dutch Grand Prix Sprint from fifth with a damaged Mercedes and no extra practice session available to sort it out. That is a much less comfortable position than the timing sheets initially suggested. After going…
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