SPORT
Antonelli leads F1 title charge at Dutch GP
Mercedes teenager tops practice as championship resumes at Zandvoort
Tobia Marenghi401 wordsEdition №91Saturday, 22 August 2026 — Edition № 91
Kimi Antonelli led the way in first practice for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, according to the BBC, topping McLaren's Lando Norris. The Mercedes driver, who at 19 leads the Formula One drivers' championship, is the man to beat as the season resumes after the summer break.
The Guardian reported that the Dutch Grand Prix may be hosting its final meeting on the calendar this weekend, but its farewell heralds the opening of a championship run-in that is far from over. Antonelli's rivals do not see him as out of reach, despite his substantial lead, and the remaining races promise a tight contest.
George Russell, Antonelli's Mercedes teammate, took pole position for the sprint race ahead of Norris and Charles Leclerc, the BBC confirmed. The team's one-two pace in practice signals that Mercedes has arrived at Zandvoort with strong form, even as the championship pressure mounts on its young leader.
Antonelli's rise has been the story of the Formula One season. Born in Bologna and described by his father as "born in a garage," he started driving on his dad's lap at the age of three and was a natural driver by the age of five, according to a BBC profile. His ascent to the championship lead at 19 has made him the youngest F1 title contender in decades, and the sport's attention has followed.
The Guardian's preview noted that Antonelli's rivals are primed to chase him down. Norris, Leclerc and Russell all have the machinery and form to challenge, and the Zandvoort circuit — narrow, banked and demanding — could produce surprises. The sprint race on Saturday will be an early test of Mercedes' pace, with Russell on pole but Antonelli close behind in the standings.
For Italian motorsport, Antonelli's charge carries a weight beyond the championship. Ferrari's struggles this season have left the Tifosi looking for a homegrown hero, and Antonelli's success at Mercedes has made him a national figure. The BBC's profile traced his journey from karting prodigy to F1 leader, and the Italian press has followed every step — though La Veduta reports only what the world's outlets confirm.
The Dutch GP's farewell adds an emotional layer. Zandvoort has been a fixture since its return in 2021, and its removal from the calendar next year will end a popular stop. For Antonelli, a strong result here would extend his lead and send a message to his pursuers as the season's final races approach. The championship run-in, the Guardian wrote, is far from over.