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Martin Brundle spotted Kimi Antonelli outsmarting Lewis Hamilton during the 2026 British Grand Prix Sprint.
After a brilliant Friday, Ferrari star Hamilton secured Sprint pole ahead of Antonelli and Max Verstappen.
On Saturday, the seven-time world champion managed to get a good start as he squeezed Antonelli into the first corner to stay in front.
However, as the race went on, it became clear that Antonelli was the fastest man on the track.
Eventually, the 19-year-old passed Hamilton by breezing past on the Hangar Straight; Antonelli went on to win the Sprint ahead of Hamilton and Lando Norris.
Kimi Antonelli wins the British GP Sprint. Who can stop him winning the Grand Prix?
Martin Brundle praises Kimi Antonelli’s ‘absolutely perfect’ British GP Sprint win
Reacting to Antonelli’s victory, Brundle was impressed by the way the young Italian managed to outsmart Hamilton before finally making the move to overtake the 41-year-old.
Brundle praised Antonelli for doing the work in the early parts of the lap before waiting for the opportune moment to pass.
The 67-year-old, who drove for teams like Williams, Benetton and McLaren during his Formula 1 career, stated that Antonelli delivered an ‘absolutely perfect’ performance in the British Grand Prix Sprint.
He went on to state that if the 19-year-old manages to keep this kind of performance up, he will be the clear favourite to win the 2026 F1 world championship.
Brundle explained on Sky Sports F1: “No crazy moments, no locked wheels, no little trips through the run-off areas – just absolutely perfect. He waited for his chance with Lewis Hamilton – forced him into using up his battery and going off line in defence.
“That gave him a pretty easy pass down the back straight, with work he did as early as Turn Three. He worked on that and got paid back, then managed it beautifully out front.
“He’s looking favourite for the world championship. If he keeps calm and pumping performances in like that for him, he is the man to beat for the world championship.”
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Speaking after the session himself, Antonelli admitted that it was ‘very fun’ to race Hamilton, with both drivers pushing to the limits in the early stages of the Sprint.
The Italian echoed what Brundle had said, explaining that he decided to wait until the Hangar Straight, which comes before the Stowe corner, to make his move on Hamilton.
As reported by Sky Sports F1, Antonelli said: “It was a very fun first 10 laps with Lewis. We were both pushing very hard. When I got into Overtake [Mode], I knew my chance was coming.
“Out of Turn Four I was very close, so I went alongside into Brooklands but he used the boost, so I decided to wait. Going into Stowe I used everything I had, then I was able to overtake.
“From that point on I tried to get into my rhythm and try to break the Overtake Mode [which you get when you are within one second of the driver in front] then bring it home.”
Looking ahead, Antonelli is likely to be the man to beat when qualifying for Sunday’s main Grand Prix takes place later on Saturday.
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