Mercedes says the two-centimetre jump-start that earned Andrea Kimi Antonelli a five-second penalty in Las Vegas was not caused by driver error. Despite the setback, the 19-year-old recovered from 17th to finish third through precise tyre management and a bold early-stop strategy.
The 2026 F1 regulations could make rear brakes nearly obsolete as new hybrid systems rely heavily on electric regeneration. While it’s a technological marvel, engineers warn of new safety challenges if the system fails.



