Kimi Antonelli Monaco starts concern

Jolyon Palmer said on May 13 that Kimi Antonelli’s weakness off the line could become more costly when Formula 1 reaches Monaco next month. The former Renault driver and F1 analyst said Antonelli has been able to recover from poor launches so far in 2026, but warned that the same margin may not exist on the streets of Monte Carlo. Antonelli still leads the championship after four rounds, according to Formula 1’s 2026 results page. Monaco is scheduled for June 5-7, with the grand prix on June 7. ### Why did Palmer single out Monaco? Jolyon Palmer said Monaco would expose any weakness at the start because overtaking opportunities are far more limited there than at most other circuits. In comments published Wednesday, he said Antonelli’s poor starts could cost him a win if the issue is not corrected before the championship reaches the principality. (motorsport.com) The Automobile Club de Monaco describes the circuit as an urban layout that is “unforgiving” and demands precision and constant focus. That description helps explain Palmer’s point: a driver who loses places at lights-out in Monaco has fewer obvious chances to take them back on track than at venues with longer straights or heavier braking zones. (motorsport.com) ### How strong has Antonelli’s season been despite that issue? Formula 1’s official 2026 results page shows Antonelli finishing second in Australia before winning in China, Japan and Miami. Those results left the Mercedes driver on top of the standings through the first four rounds of the season. Miami underlined the contrast Palmer was describing. Antonelli won there on May 3, according to Formula 1’s calendar and results page, even though Palmer’s criticism focused on the recurring risk at the start rather than Antonelli’s race pace once a stint settles down. (acm.mc) (formula1.com) ### What exactly is the concern with his starts? Palmer’s warning was narrowly about race launches, not qualifying speed or overall pace. The issue he identified was Antonelli giving up track position at the start and then needing the car’s speed, strategy or race management to recover later in the grand prix. (motorsport.com) Monaco changes the cost of that mistake. The Formula 1 schedule lists the event as round six of the 2026 season, and the tight street circuit has long put extra weight on qualifying position, clean getaways and first-lap order. Palmer’s point was that Antonelli may not be able to rely on recovery drives there in the same way. (motorsport.com) ### Why does track position matter more there than elsewhere? The Monaco race is staged on public roads through the principality, and the Automobile Club de Monaco says the circuit winds through the heart of Monaco itself. That layout leaves little room for error and little room to pass, making track position a larger part of the result than at many permanent circuits. (motorsport.com) Palmer’s argument was not that Antonelli cannot win in Monaco. It was that a poor launch that might be survivable in Australia, China, Japan or Miami could become decisive on a circuit where the field compresses quickly and passing chances are scarce. (acm.mc) ### What comes before Monaco? Formula 1’s official calendar lists Canada as the next round on May 22-24, followed by Monaco on June 5-7 and Barcelona-Catalunya on June 12-14. That gives Antonelli and Mercedes one more race weekend before Monaco to address the starts Palmer highlighted. June 7 is the date listed for the Monaco Grand Prix itself, with the event running across June 4-7 on the Automobile Club de Monaco site and June 5-7 on Formula 1’s race calendar page. (motorsport.com) Canada, scheduled for May 22-24, is the next chance for Antonelli, Mercedes and their rivals to show whether the concern Palmer raised still holds. (formula1.com)