Jenson Button didn't hold back when discussing Kimi Antonelli's costly mistake during the Miami sprint race, calling the young Mercedes driver's track limits violation a "silly mistake" that could have serious championship implications.

The 2009 Formula 1 world champion was speaking after Antonelli crossed the finish line in fourth place, only to be demoted to sixth when a five-second penalty was applied for exceeding track limits. The penalty cost the Italian driver valuable points in what's shaping up to be a tight title battle.

"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 had arrived in Miami riding high after back-to-back victories in China and Japan, which made him the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 drivers' championship. He held a nine-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell heading into the weekend, but after the sprint race penalty, that lead has been cut to just seven points.

Former F1 driver Timo Glock also weighed in on Antonelli's struggles, pointing to a recurring issue with the young driver's race starts. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Glock highlighted a pattern that's been difficult to ignore.

"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," Glock explained. "Maybe — and there have been one or two statements — it could be related to the clutch lever, that he doesn't quite have the feeling in that initial moment. That would kind of explain why he has this abrupt wheelspin straight away. And that's exactly what's important: you need the feel to sense what happens in the car when you release the clutch lever, and maybe he's lacking that fine touch at the moment."

When it came to the track limits penalty itself, Glock was sympathetic but firm in his assessment. "Yes, that was really millimetre work. Of course, from the driver's position, it's difficult to see. But he has to keep that in mind — if he knows he's already right on the limit and has already picked up two or three track limits," he said. "In that situation, I have to say, he didn't really have anything left to gain or lose. You just have to play it safe and factor in that extra half metre. That must not happen to him. Of course, it's frustrating that he drops another two positions because of it."

For racing fans and aspiring drivers alike, this Miami weekend serves as a powerful reminder that in Formula 1, every millimetre matters — and even the smallest misjudgment can have championship-altering consequences.