Kimi Antonelli summoned for impeding Lando Norris during F1 Chinese GP sprint quali

Kimi Antonelli has been summoned to the Formula 1 stewards after allegedly impeding Lando Norris during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race.

The Mercedes driver was going slowly on the inside of Turn 1 causing Norris to back off, before reporting to his McLaren team that “I was going to push that lap” during SQ2.

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Both progressed from the session regardless and Antonelli eventually qualified second behind team-mate George Russell for Saturday’s race, while the reigning world champion took third.

After the session, Antonelli said: “Yeah, the pace is very strong. Just didn’t put the lap together at the end on the soft. So, yeah, still work to do. But obviously, congrats to George and all to play for tomorrow.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

If he is found guilty then the usual punishment is a three-place grid drop, which would push Norris onto the front row with the second shared between Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri.

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Antonelli would therefore start fifth ahead of sixth-placed Charles Leclerc, but the Italian teen would be expected to progress quite quickly given the superiority of the Mercedes.

The Silver Arrows took a 1-2 in both qualifying and the race at last weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, having absolutely nailed the switch to these all-new 2026 machines.

“I’m feeling good in the car,” said Antonelli. “So, there obviously is more about details trying to put all together. But yeah, tomorrow we try to have a good start and then try to have a good quali.”

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