Jenson Button calls out Kimi Antonelli's "silly mistake" after track limits penalty in Miami

TL;DR

Jenson Button criticized Kimi Antonelli's track limits penalty during the Miami sprint race, calling it a 'silly mistake.' Antonelli initially placed fourth but was demoted to sixth after a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits.

Key points

Jenson Button criticized Kimi Antonelli's track limits mistake
Antonelli was penalized five seconds for exceeding track limits
He initially finished fourth but was classified sixth
Button referred to the penalty as a 'silly mistake'

Mentioned in this story

Jenson ButtonKimi Antonelli

Motorsport photo

2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has branded Kimi Antonelli's track limits infringement during the Miami sprint race a "silly mistake".

While the Italian driver crossed the line in fourth, he was classified sixth after being handed a five-second penalty due to exceeding track limits.

"The track limits breach, that’s just… I don’t want to say a silly mistake, but it is, really," Button told Sky Sports F1.

"It was an easy fourth position for him, and he’s just lost three points to his biggest title rival."

Antonelli became the youngest leader of the drivers' championship after back-to-back wins at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix. He arrived in Miami with a nine-point lead over his Mercedes team-mate George Russell, but that gap has now reduced to seven points after the sprint race and penalty.

Former F1 driver Timo Glock also discussed Antonelli's penalty and poor race start with Sky Sports Germany after the sprint race.

"That was just as poor as it was in the other starts. And it feels like — you can see it immediately — as soon as he gets going, there’s instant wheelspin," he said.