Jenson Button expressed fears about losing his job to Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey during the Miami Grand Prix on May 2, 2026. His comments came amid concerns over Kimi Antonelli’s performance this season.
Kimi Antonelli has struggled with his starts throughout the 2026 season. He has lost a total of 20 positions off the line in every race so far. Button noted that Antonelli’s poor starts are linked to a fundamental issue with his clutch, which is expected to be resolved at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. “The problem is that it gets under your skin. It really does, when you have that many issues due to one thing,” Button said.
During an interview, Button joked, “I mean, he’s going to steal our job,” referring to Dempsey’s growing involvement in motorsport. The Hollywood actor has expressed excitement about the developments in Formula 1, stating, “It is exciting because of the time off. Everybody is starting to develop the car – especially McLaren have really jumped up – so it’s like the beginning of the season all over again.”
The Miami Grand Prix was ultimately won by Lando Norris, with Oscar Piastri finishing second. Both drivers continue to show strong performances this season.
Additionally, Ivana Knoll gained attention during the Miami Grand Prix broadcast for distracting a Sky Sports F1 cameraman. She has attended every edition of the Miami Grand Prix since 2022 and has amassed a significant social media following.
As for Antonelli, observers worry that his repeated mistakes could affect his mental state in future races. The team hopes to address these issues before their next event.
