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Bernie Collins has explained why Formula 1’s current month-long break hasn’t suited Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli, 19, has made a brilliant start to the 2026 F1 season, winning in China and Japan in the last two races.
Currently, the youngster leads the world championship by nine points, with teammate George Russell looking to chase him down.
After the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, there is currently a month-long break in F1, which will end next week when the season resumes in Miami.
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Bernie Collins says F1’s month-long break ‘didn’t really suit’ Kimi Antonelli
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show, former Aston Martin strategist Collins explained why the April break has potentially come at a bad time for Antonelli.
Collins stated that, having won back-to-back races in China and Japan, Antonelli might have wanted to continue his momentum.
She also questioned whether Russell would now be feeling the pressure after Antonelli’s recent performances.
Collins said: “Yeah, he (Antonelli) has got to just keep doing what he has been doing at the beginning of this year. Mercedes have given him a fantastic car. He needs to keep his head down.
“Maybe the gap didn’t really suit him; he might have liked to keep the momentum that he had in the early races.
“I think it’s really a bit of pressure on George, how can George respond to two races he would’ve liked to have had some better results at.
“Let’s see if Kimi has done what Toto has said and practised his starts, that will be the big thing.”
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READ MORE: David Coulthard does not feel confident about Kimi Antonelli’s title chances against George Russell
Toto Wolff speaks out on title fight between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
Mercedes team boss Wolff is no stranger to dealing with title fights, having handled Lewis Hamilton’s tense battle with Nico Rosberg.
Speaking recently, Wolff stated that the team is always bigger than the drivers.
As per F1’s official website, Wolff said: “We have learned a lot over the last 10 plus years in how to best handle these situations. But best handle means also letting them race and acknowledging the fact that they race.
“There are certain values that we stand for in the team. The team is always bigger than the drivers. It is Mercedes, one of the most formidable brands in the world, the best car brand in the world.”
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