Kimi Antonelli receives a three-place start penalty at Silverstone after the Austrian GP
The Italian driver was punished for his collision with Max Verstappen at the start of the Austrian Grand Prix, which resulted in the Dutchman's retirement.
It’s a weekend to forget for Kimi Antonelli. The Italian rookie from Mercedes attempted a kamikaze move on the first lap of the Austrian Grand Prix, which ended in a real strike on Max Verstappen’s car. The young driver came in at full speed into the third corner, stating that he had locked his tires and hit the rear of the Red Bull. Both cars had to retire.
The verdict came quickly after the race: **Kimi Antonelli was found entirely responsible for the incident at the Red Bull Ring**. Summoned before the stewards, the Italian pleaded guilty… while mentioning an evasive move after an unexpected blockage. A movement more instinctive than malicious, but not enough to exonerate him.
Result: three-place grid penalty at Silverstone (July 4-6) and two points deducted from his license.
In their report, the commissioners state: « During the hearing, the driver admitted to making a mistake by locking the rear wheels using his usual braking point, but also pointed out that he had to avoid a collision with car 30 [Liam Lawson] in front of him and released the brakes for a short period to do so. »
« By taking evasive measures, the car had less grip on the dirty inside line and thus was unable to decelerate in a way to avoid the collision with car 1. »
Max Verstappen accepts the apologies
And while first round collisions sometimes receive a more lenient reading, that was not the case this time: « No other car influenced the incident and […] the driver of car 12 was entirely responsible. »
No mitigating circumstance therefore, even if the stewards acknowledge that the incident was not a blatant attempt to dive into the corner, but rather the result of an avoidance action after the lock-up.
After his withdrawal, Antonelli provided a candid account: « I think I had a normal start, then as I was approaching turn 3, I was just trying to maintain my position. I didn’t want to do anything because I knew there was no space ahead, but when I braked, I locked the rear and got caught out. »
« When I locked the rear, I lost control of the car. I first had to avoid the Racing Bull [from Lawson], but I couldn’t stop it. Unfortunately, I hit Max and I am really sorry for the team, and for him of course. I apologized immediately. I know it’s entirely my fault and I am sorry for ending my race, but also his », he admitted humbly, to his credit.
For his part, Max Verstappen, visibly not holding a grudge, accepted the apologies with the calm of experience: « Just bad luck, I suppose. That’s how it is. I spoke briefly with Kimi, he came with me to the reception. I think all drivers have already made a mistake like that. No one does it intentionally, so for me, it’s not a big deal », he concluded.
