Mercedes makes clutch paddle change for Kimi Antonelli as rookie targets historic fourth straight F1 win

Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of making F1 history in Canada, aiming to become the first driver to win his first four races successively. To address a string of poor starts from six standing starts, Mercedes has introduced a new clutch paddle shape and software updates for his car.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's stunning rookie campaign—three straight wins from his first three poles—has already rewritten record books. A fourth victory would place him alongside Alonso, Hamilton, and Verstappen with four successive wins, a feat only 14 drivers have achieved. Fixing the start issues is critical as Mercedes fights to maintain momentum against charging rivals.

The details:

• Antonelli has lost positions every time from six standing starts this season, though Mercedes took responsibility for the Miami Sprint error with incorrect settings.
• Technical changes: A redesigned clutch paddle aims to improve consistency with clutch drops. The team also worked on software to enhance performance and system robustness.
• Mercedes is studying McLaren, which uses the same power unit but starts consistently well. "There's definitely something we are missing," Antonelli noted.
• The Italian remains focused race-by-race: "We have a really strong car… but you just want to keep going, keep the momentum."

What's next:

Canada will test whether the changes resolve the launch problems. Antonelli knows rivals like McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari will push back. If the fix works, he could add another historic milestone to an already remarkable debut season.