Kimi Antonelli will start the Singapore Grand Prix from the second row after qualifying fourth at Marina Bay, with the Mercedes driver targeting a podium despite admitting that the updated W17 remains extremely sensitive. The Italian believes the potential of the new package is clear, but its narrow operating window continues to make the car difficult to control when he pushes harder.
Antonelli’s fourth place also strengthens an increasingly comfortable championship position. With an 89-point advantage over George Russell and his team-mate set to start from the back of the grid, the Italian has another major opportunity to increase his lead in the Formula 1 driver standings.
Kimi Antonelli settles into championship control mode
Saturday at Marina Bay ended positively for Kimi Antonelli, who secured fourth place in qualifying and the security of a second-row start for Sunday’s race.
The Mercedes driver increasingly appears to be operating in championship-management mode. His 89-point cushion over George Russell gives him substantial breathing room, while Russell’s position at the back of the grid means Antonelli has a strong chance to extend that advantage further during the Singapore Grand Prix.
The situation marks a significant contrast within Mercedes, with Antonelli continuing to use the team’s updated W17 while Russell has found greater confidence with the older specification during the Marina Bay weekend.
Antonelli says updated Mercedes W17 has a very narrow window
After qualifying, Antonelli focused primarily on the behaviour of the updated Mercedes, which continues to appear more temperamental than the older W17 configuration.
“We made improvements with the balance,” Kimi Antonelli told Sky Sport F1. “But in any case, the car remains difficult. The potential is there, but the window is very small. The balance changes a lot, also depending on the driving and especially when you push a little harder.”
“The car is much more sensitive: at Turn 3 I got on the throttle a little earlier and it suddenly snapped; then at Turn 10 I carried more speed and went into understeer.”
The comments underline the challenge Mercedes still faces with the newer package. The W17 can deliver performance, but relatively small changes in driving input or corner approach can alter the balance significantly.
Mercedes progress encouraging despite sensitivity
Antonelli nevertheless came away encouraged by the improvements made during the weekend and remains convinced that the updated package has genuine potential.
“I’m happy because we made improvements and the potential of the package is there,” he added.
The confidence is significant because Antonelli has continued to back the newer specification despite the more predictable behaviour Russell has found with the older W17. Mercedes has therefore been gathering data from two different technical directions throughout the Singapore weekend.
The team’s wider development programme has already been a major theme of the season, with Toto Wolff previously acknowledging that Mercedes still sees untapped potential in the W17.
Antonelli targets Singapore podium from fourth
Looking ahead to Sunday’s race, Antonelli made clear that his objective is to convert fourth on the grid into a top-three finish.
“Tomorrow? Hopefully we can get a podium, but it won’t be easy. We don’t know how this car will behave on race pace. But I’m confident that we can do a good job.”
Race pace therefore remains the biggest unknown. Mercedes has improved the car’s balance over one lap, but Antonelli has not yet seen enough to know how the updated W17 will perform across a full Grand Prix distance.
The demands of Marina Bay make that uncertainty especially important. The circuit’s slow corners, traction zones and limited overtaking opportunities place a premium on consistency, while the compressed 2026 Singapore Grand Prix Sprint weekend has given teams limited time to perfect their race set-ups.
Championship position gives Antonelli room to manage risk
Antonelli’s championship advantage means he does not necessarily need to take excessive risks on Sunday. With Russell starting from the back and an 89-point margin already in hand, another strong points finish would further strengthen his position.
Even so, the Italian is clearly aiming higher than simple damage limitation. Fourth on the grid puts him within reach of the podium, and his confidence in the updated Mercedes suggests he believes the car can deliver more if the team can keep it inside its narrow performance window.
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