During the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli had a dramatic moment late in the race when his car suddenly tightened up under braking, making the rear end step out unexpectedly.
The reason for this hair‑raising incident was a change in tyre grip combined with a shift in brake balance as fuel levels dropped, which made the rear of the car more unstable than earlier in the race.
Antonelli managed to correct the slide and keep control, avoiding a spin or collision, and went on to maintain his lead until the finish.
Engineers later explained that the track temperatures and tyre wear at that stage increased the car’s sensitivity, meaning small changes in braking could upset its balance.
Despite the scare, Antonelli’s recovery showed strong car control and helped secure his race victory in Shanghai.
Teams will study data from this moment to better understand tyre and brake interactions under changing conditions.
Overall, it was a dramatic but well‑handled moment that didn’t affect Antonelli’s winning result.
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