Kimi Antonelli Promoted to Third in Bahrain Qualifying
A grid penalty for Isack Hadjar moved Kimi Antonelli to third for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Motorsports
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Kimi Antonelli has been promoted to third on the starting grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix following a penalty assessed to Isack Hadjar. Hadjar received the grid-place penalty after using his seventh internal combustion engine of the season.
Why it matters
Grid position in Bahrain is critical, and this promotion provides Antonelli with a better starting spot as he aims for a race win or a podium finish. He remains wary of the pace advantage held by Red Bull and notes the race will likely depend on tire management.
Kimi Antonelli qualified five-tenths of a second behind Max Verstappen during the session. He enters this event following a fifth-place finish in Azerbaijan, where he had started from 16th position.
The players
Kimi Antonelli
He is a rising racing driver competing in the Formula 1 circuit.
Isack Hadjar
He is a professional race car driver currently competing in Formula 1.
Max Verstappen
He is a multi-time Formula 1 world champion and Red Bull racing driver.
Lawrence Barretto
He is a motorsports reporter and correspondent for Formula 1 media.
The details
Antonelli, who had initially qualified in fourth position, learned of his promotion during an interview with reporter Lawrence Barretto. The penalty stemmed from Hadjar using his seventh internal combustion engine, exceeding the allowed limit for the season.
Timeline
The qualifying session took place on October 3, 2026.
The Bahrain Grand Prix race is scheduled for October 4, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This grid shift directly impacts the competitive balance at the front of the pack, potentially disrupting the points race for the remainder of the season. It highlights the recurring challenge teams face regarding engine reliability and the strict limits imposed by governing bodies.
Antonelli will now start on the second row, significantly improving his odds of podium contention compared to his initial fourth-place start. The penalty forces Hadjar to overcome a difficult starting position, adding pressure to the midfield pack for the opening lap.
The takeaway
Reliability issues can often dictate the final standings as much as raw driver speed in modern racing. Managing engine components effectively throughout the long season remains a fundamental requirement for any team hoping to secure a championship victory.
Further reading
For more news from the track, visit the Motorsports section.
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Do you support the use of grid penalties for teams exceeding engine usage limits?
