Antonelli Seals 5th Pole and Sprint Win at Silverstone as Verstappen Slumps to 7th
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
Antonelli Seals 5th Pole and Sprint Win at Silverstone as Verstappen Slumps to 7th
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
Summary
Kimi Antonelli capped a flawless Saturday at Silverstone by taking British Grand Prix pole in 1:28.111 after winning the sprint race earlier in the day.
The 19-year-old Mercedes driver improved on his final Q3 run despite anger at being sent out first, beating Charles Leclerc by 0.175 seconds, with Lewis Hamilton third and George Russell fourth.
Max Verstappen qualified only seventh after reporting a power loss and poor balance, calling the Red Bull a "disaster" and warning there was "no point" racing Sunday if the car stayed unchanged.
Mercedes has now taken every pole of the 2026 season so far, while Ferrari's front-row challenge and Red Bull's apparent engine trouble set up the main race at Silverstone.