World championship leader Kimi Antonelli said he was "very mad" about making an "unnecessary" qualifying error that left him starting the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 16th on the grid.

The 91-point lead established by Antonelli at the top of the standings with nine races remaining has put him in a position where merely solid results will see the Italian to a maiden title.

For that reason, along with the imperious form he has shown throughout the season so far, it came as a major surprise when Antonelli clipped the wall at the first corner during Q1 in Baku, especially given Mercedes were showing strong pace that should have enabled him to cruise through to Q3 at a canter.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve described the incident as "an incredible mistake." Three-time W series champion Jamie Chadwick said the crash reminded her of "Kimi of old," a reference to the 20-year-old's inconsistent debut campaign in F1, which raised major doubts over whether he could live up to his billing as a generational talent.