FIA announces heavy penalty for Mercedes star after L…read more
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has been handed a significant penalty by race stewards during the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, after officials ruled that he caused a collision on the opening lap of the race.
The incident occurred during the chaotic early moments of the sprint at the Shanghai International Circuit, where Antonelli and Isack Hadjar went wheel-to-wheel through Turn 6. As the Mercedes driver attempted to hold the inside line, contact was made between the two cars. The clash forced Hadjar’s Red Bull machine wide off the racing line, costing him several positions as the field accelerated away.
Following a brief review of the incident, the race stewards from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile concluded that Antonelli was predominantly responsible for the contact. As a result, the Italian teenager was issued a 10-second time penalty, a punishment that could significantly impact his final classification in the sprint race.
The collision came after Antonelli experienced a difficult launch from the starting grid. Despite beginning the race from a strong position, the young Mercedes driver struggled off the line and quickly lost ground to several competitors behind him. The slow start dropped him into the midfield battle, placing him directly alongside Hadjar, who had started from P10 and made an aggressive getaway.
As the pack charged toward Turn 6 during the first lap, both drivers attempted to claim the same piece of track. Antonelli positioned his car on the inside of the corner in an effort to regain lost positions, while Hadjar attempted to maintain momentum around the outside. With neither driver backing out, the two cars eventually made contact, sending the Red Bull wide and forcing Hadjar to run off the optimal racing line.
Although the clash did not result in either driver retiring from the race, it had immediate consequences for Hadjar’s progress. The French driver lost valuable time and positions as he rejoined the circuit, dropping him down the order. At the time the penalty decision was announced, Antonelli was running in third place, while Hadjar had fallen back to eighth.
The stewards’ decision means Antonelli’s strong track position may not translate into a podium finish once the time penalty is applied. A 10-second addition to his race time could potentially drop him several places in the final sprint classification, depending on the gaps between drivers.
The stewards are also expected to add two penalty points to Antonelli’s super licence as part of the punishment. If confirmed, this would increase his total to seven penalty points within the 12-month rolling period monitored by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. Drivers who accumulate 12 penalty points within that timeframe automatically receive a one-race suspension, meaning Antonelli will need to be cautious in upcoming events to avoid further sanctions.
Elsewhere in the race, George Russell enjoyed a strong start after beginning from pole position and quickly established himself at the front of the field. The Mercedes driver maintained control of the race during the opening laps and looked comfortable as he led the sprint.
It was a much tougher start for reigning champion Max Verstappen, who struggled to gain ground during the early laps. The Dutch driver found himself outside the points-paying positions and was running down in 13th place as the race unfolded.
The opening stages of the sprint therefore delivered plenty of drama, with Antonelli’s clash with Hadjar becoming one of the defining incidents of the race. While the young Mercedes driver initially appeared on course for a strong result, the stewards’ intervention has now placed his final finishing position in serious doubt as the sprint race continues.
