Mercedes' young driver, Kimi Antonelli, has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone, following a first-lap collision with Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident occurred at Turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring, resulting in the retirement of both drivers.
Antonelli, who started the Austrian GP from P9, locked up his rear brakes while braking into Turn 3. He admitted to making a mistake, explaining that he tried to avoid a collision with Liam Lawson ahead of him, causing him to briefly release the brakes. This evasive action reduced the car's grip on the inside line, preventing him from decelerating sufficiently and ultimately leading to the contact with Verstappen's Red Bull.
The stewards deemed Antonelli "fully at fault" for the incident, stating that the usual leniency applied to first-lap incidents would not be applied in this case. In addition to the grid penalty, Antonelli received two penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, marking his first penalty points in Formula 1. If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within a 365-day period, they face a race ban.
Antonelli immediately took responsibility for the crash and apologized to his team and Verstappen. He explained that an error in his brake settings caused the lock-up and subsequent collision. Verstappen, while initially reacting with frustration over the radio, took a more understanding approach after reviewing the footage. He acknowledged that every driver makes similar mistakes during their career and recognized Antonelli's talent, expecting him to learn from the experience.
The grid penalty will affect Antonelli's starting position at the British Grand Prix, scheduled to take place from July 4th to 6th. The Formula 1 British Grand Prix will take place at Silverstone circuit. Practice sessions will occur on Friday and Saturday, with qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday, July 6th.
The incident in Austria marked Antonelli's fourth non-score in five races, a streak only broken by his podium finish in Canada. Entering the Silverstone race weekend with the penalty, Antonelli will aim to put the Austrian mishap behind him and deliver a strong performance. The British Grand Prix is considered the spiritual home of Formula 1 and draws large crowds.
