Kimi Antonelli Lost the São Paulo GP Lead to a Spin He Still Can’t Explain

Kimi Antonelli says he’s “very angry” after a spin he can’t explain cost him the lead and a likely win in the F1 São Paulo GP.It was a solid start from Mercedes’ Antonelli when he took the lead from McLaren’s Lando Norris in the F1 São Paulo GP. He held on well while Norris fought Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and defended from Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar.The 2026 F1 champion had the lead under control, but he started to complain about problems that Mercedes teammate George Russell felt too. Antonelli struggled to stop the car and lost the rear at Turn 1.That cost him places, and the problem lasted the rest of the Grand Prix. He finished fifth, behind Norris, the Red Bull pair and Russell.Kimi Antonelli and George Russell battle in the F1 São Paulo GP. Image Credit: Michael Potts/LAT ImagesAntonelli Says the Spin Came With “No Warning”“I’m very disappointed with the race,” Antonelli told the media. “I’m very angry, to be fair. [It was] very disappointing, because we were on for the win up to that point. Also, on the slick, once I was able to get some temperature, I got into the rhythm.“But the spin came, which is still something I need to look at, because I don’t know why I lost the rear so quickly as well. Like, no warning, nothing. But already, to be fair, when I put the soft on, I felt something weird with the car.“So, we need to check what happened. But on the other hand, a shame, because we lost the race there,” said Antonelli, who really wanted to win the Grand Prix in Brazil, especially after visiting Ayrton Senna’s museum.Mercedes Still Clinched the Constructors’ TitleMercedes celebrates its 2026 F1 constructors’ title at Interlagos. Image Credit: Jiri Krenek/Active Pictures“I really wanted to win here in Brazil, in front of this amazing crowd,” continued Antonelli. “The support has been so special this weekend, and it would have been good to finish with a win. It’s a shame that I missed out. Hopefully, next year we’ll come back stronger, and we’re going to be able to win it.”Mercedes still had reason to celebrate, even with fourth and fifth. The team clinched the 2026 F1 constructors’ title, its first since 2021, and Antonelli joined the celebrations on the podium.“I’m going to put all this aside for now, because we clinched the title for the team, and they all deserve it,” said Antonelli. “And I’m very proud to be part of this group and this team, who have done and still do so much for me, and I’m very happy for them.”