Leader Antonelli calls Azerbaijan weekend the worst of his season

Kimi Antonelli said the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend was the worst of his Formula One season, even after a strong recovery to finish fifth on Saturday. The 20-year-old Italian started 16th following a costly qualifying crash, after an earlier hydraulics problem in Thursday practice disrupted his build-up. In the race, Antonelli also dealt with contact damage involving a Haas car and described his drive as “damage limitation,” contrasting it with his charge from 19th to first at the home Italian Grand Prix earlier this month. The setback also coincided with Mercedes teammate George Russell winning and reducing the points gap to the leader from 81 to 66.