Kimi Antonelli qualifies 16th after crash in Baku F1 session
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 26, 2026, 8:47 AM
Last updated Sep 26, 2026
Kimi Antonelli experienced a setback during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, hitting the inside wall at Turn 1 on his second push lap. This incident brought his session to an early close, placing him 16th on the starting grid for the race. Max Verstappen voiced support for Antonelli, highlighting his youth and potential despite the mistake. Previously, Antonelli had shown strong performance throughout the European leg of the season, contrasting with his poor qualifying outcome in Baku. The race is set to take place on Saturday, September 30.
- •Antonelli crashes during second Q1 push lap in Baku.
- •He will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 16th position.
- •Max Verstappen defends Antonelli, citing his age and inexperience.
- •Antonelli previously had a strong performance in Europe.
- •The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for September 30.
- 8:47 AMMotorsport.com — Max Verstappen backs Kimi Antonelli after Baku F1 qualifying crash: “People forget how young he is”
- 8:47 AMYahoo Sports — Max Verstappen backs Kimi Antonelli after Baku F1 qualifying crash: “People forget how young he is”
"After a very strong European leg of the Formula 1 season – which was actually an Achilles’ heel last year – Kimi Antonelli made a rare mistake during qualifying in Baku. The championship leader hit the inside wall at Turn 1 during his second Q1 push lap, bringing his qualifying session to an early end and leaving him to start Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 16th on the ...Keep reading
"Max Verstappen acknowledges that Kimi Antonelli “can’t afford” mistakes such as the one he made during qualifying in Azerbaijan too often, but stresses that these moments are all part of the learning process
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comSep 26, 2026, 8:47 AMMax Verstappen backs Kimi Antonelli after Baku F1 qualifying crash: “People forget how young he is”
After a very strong European leg of the Formula 1 season – which was actually an Achilles’ heel last year – Kimi Antonelli made a rare mistake during qualifying in Baku. The championship leader hit the inside wall at Turn 1 during his second Q1 push lap, bringing his qualifying session to an early end and leaving him to start Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 16th on the ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 26, 2026, 8:47 AMMax Verstappen backs Kimi Antonelli after Baku F1 qualifying crash: “People forget how young he is”
Max Verstappen acknowledges that Kimi Antonelli “can’t afford” mistakes such as the one he made during qualifying in Azerbaijan too often, but stresses that these moments are all part of the learning process
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