Spielberg, Austria — Kimi Antonelli will start the British Grand Prix next weekend with a three-place grid penalty after being deemed responsible for a collision with Max Verstappen during the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Starting from ninth on the grid, Antonelli experienced a lock-up at Turn 3, which led to his Mercedes colliding with Verstappen’s Red Bull, resulting in both drivers retiring from the race. Stewards summoned the two drivers for a review of the incident, ultimately concluding that Antonelli was “fully at fault,” though they recognized the circumstances leading to his error.
According to the stewards’ findings, Antonelli admitted to his mistake during the hearing, explaining that he locked up his rear brakes at his usual braking point. He noted that he had taken evasive action to avoid hitting another competitor, Liam Lawson, who was ahead. This last-minute maneuver compromised his grip, leading to the collision.
As a result of the incident, Antonelli will receive a three-position grid drop for the Silverstone race set for July 4-6, alongside two penalty points on his racing license. The stewards clarified that their more lenient approach typically applied to first-lap incidents was not warranted in this case, stating, “No other cars influenced the incident.”
Following the race, Antonelli expressed remorse for his actions. “I had a normal start, but as I approached T3, I was just trying to keep my position without any room in front of me,” he explained. “When I hit the brakes, I lost control and felt I had to avoid Lawson, but I couldn’t stop the car in time. I genuinely feel sorry for my team and for Max.”
Verstappen, the reigning world champion, responded to Antonelli’s apology with understanding. “It’s just one of those unfortunate moments. I had a brief chat with Kimi; he came to hospitality afterward,” he remarked. “Every driver has faced a mistake like this at some point. It happens, and no one intends to crash.”
While this incident will certainly impact Antonelli’s upcoming race, it serves as a learning opportunity for the young driver. As Formula 1 continues, both fans and competitors will be eager to see how he adapts and grows from this experience.