The Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring delivered immediate drama on the opening lap as a collision between Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull`s reigning champion Max Verstappen brought a sudden end to both their races.
The incident unfolded at Turn 3. Antonelli, battling in the midfield, locked his rear tires under braking. This loss of control sent his car into an unavoidable collision with Verstappen, who was an innocent party in the sequence.
The impact caused significant damage, leaving both drivers unable to continue. With their race days abruptly over in Spielberg, attention quickly turned to the aftermath and potential consequences.
Antonelli`s Apology and Explanation
Immediately following the retirement, a visibly disappointed Antonelli expressed his deep regret. “I`m super sorry to the team, and to Max of course,” he stated, acknowledging his role in the crash.
Explaining the moments leading up to the incident, the 18-year-old described the challenge of braking behind other cars. He explained that braking hard caused the rear wheels to lock, making the car uncontrollable. In an attempt to avoid another driver, Liam Lawson, the situation worsened, leading to the front wheels also locking and the car accelerating towards Verstappen. The crash, he admitted, became “inevitable.” He called it a “big mistake.”
Stewards Deliver Penalty for Silverstone
Race stewards investigated the Turn 3 contact and determined Antonelli was responsible for causing the collision. Since his race was already over, the penalty is deferred to the next event on the calendar.
Antonelli has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone. In addition, he received two penalty points on his super license. This means he will start three positions lower than where he qualifies at Silverstone.
Verstappen Calls It `Unlucky,` Sees Learning Moment
For Max Verstappen, the early retirement capped off a frustrating weekend that began with misfortune in qualifying. Starting seventh due to a yellow flag on his final flying lap, his position in the pack made him vulnerable on the opening lap.
Verstappen described the crash as simply “unlucky,” consistent with the overall challenging nature of his weekend. He accepted the incident with remarkable pragmatism, stating, “It happens. Every driver has made a mistake like that.” He praised Antonelli, calling him a “very big talent” who will undoubtedly learn from the experience.
The non-score was a significant blow to Verstappen`s championship defence, with his deficit to the leader growing. However, he remained resolute, insisting his mentality wouldn`t change and that the team would continue to do their best, accepting that winning isn`t always possible.
Mercedes Reflects on the Incident
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff commented on the crash, acknowledging that “these mistakes happen.” He noted that the rear wheels locked on Antonelli`s car but wasn`t immediately certain if the cause was driver error or an issue with the car`s system. “It`s unfortunate for Max and Red Bull that Kimi hit him. That`s racing,” Wolff stated, reinforcing the common nature of such incidents in motorsport, regardless of a driver`s experience level.
Focus Shifts to Silverstone
With the Austrian race behind them, attention now squarely lands on the iconic Silverstone circuit for the British Grand Prix. Antonelli will carry his three-place grid penalty into the event, facing an immediate challenge to recover positions. Both drivers and teams will be eager to put the Austrian disappointment behind them and aim for a smoother, more successful weekend in the UK.
