Carlos Sainz has acknowledged an apology from Kimi Antonelli following a heated exchange during the Free Practice 1 session of the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, July 18, 2026. The incident occurred at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps when Antonelli, on a fast lap, encountered a slower-moving Sainz at Stavelot. Antonelli subsequently referred to Sainz as an ‘idiot’ over team radio.
Sainz, driving for Williams, expressed his displeasure with Antonelli’s radio comment. He stated that he did not believe he had impeded the Mercedes driver significantly. Sainz also highlighted that insulting a rival over team radio is generally considered forbidden.
The Williams driver suggested Antonelli ‘should calm down a bit’ following the incident. Sainz also referenced the 2026 ‘Straight Mode’ regulations, which can limit a car’s ability to quickly move off the racing line due to reduced downforce with open wings.
Antonelli, the current Formula 1 championship leader, later provided his perspective on the matter. He admitted his choice of words was ‘not the best’ and made ‘in the heat of the moment’. However, he maintained that Sainz’s actions had created a ‘quite dangerous’ situation.
The tension between the two drivers was resolved on Saturday morning, July 19, 2026. Sainz confirmed that Antonelli approached him in an elevator to offer a ‘spontaneous apology’. Antonelli explained that after reviewing the replay, he realised Sainz had not impeded him as much as he initially felt.
‘The guy is a great guy. He just apologised, said that it was the heat of the moment, that he had seen the replay and I actually didn’t impede him that much, for being an FP1 and not being an important lap of the weekend,’ Sainz stated.
Sainz praised Antonelli for the direct and immediate apology, viewing it as a positive reflection of his character. He added that he had ‘no other thing than to thank him for it and wish him the best’.
In the race itself, Kimi Antonelli secured victory at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, July 19, 2026. This marked his sixth win of the 2026 season and further extended his lead in the Formula 1 championship standings.
Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, with Max Verstappen taking the third podium position for Red Bull. George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, retired on the opening lap after a collision with Lewis Hamilton, who received a five-second penalty for the incident.
Sainz had a challenging weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, qualifying 15th and finishing the race in the same position. He reported a technical problem during practice sessions that affected his car’s performance.
