Max Verstappen Crashes Out of Austrian Grand Prix After E…read more
Defending Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has suffered a dramatic early exit from the Austrian Grand Prix following a high-profile crash with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. The incident occurred on the very first lap of the race, bringing an abrupt end to both drivers’ hopes of securing a strong finish.
The collision took place at Turn 3, a notorious overtaking zone at the Red Bull Ring, where Verstappen and Antonelli made contact while battling for position. As the two cars tangled, the resulting impact forced both the Red Bull and the Mercedes off the track, causing terminal damage to each. Neither driver was able to continue, marking a double retirement before the race had even begun to unfold.
Verstappen’s early retirement was particularly shocking given that the Austrian Grand Prix is considered a home race for Red Bull, whose headquarters are located just a short distance from the Spielberg circuit. The reigning champion had been hoping to secure another dominant performance in front of an enthusiastic Red Bull crowd. Instead, his hopes were dashed within minutes of the lights going out.
Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian star who only recently made his debut in Formula 1 with Mercedes, also faced bitter disappointment. Despite showing strong pace in practice and qualifying, Antonelli’s race ended in heartbreak after the Turn 3 collision left his car too damaged to continue. It was a tough lesson in the high-stakes world of top-tier motorsport.
The crash brought out the safety car, neutralizing the race temporarily as marshals cleared the damaged vehicles and debris from the track. While the incident caused a major reshuffle in race strategy and positioning, it opened the door for other contenders to step into the spotlight. McLaren appeared to be the early beneficiaries, with both of their drivers taking advantage of the chaos to establish themselves at the front of the pack.
Meanwhile, the FIA confirmed that they were reviewing the incident between Verstappen and Antonelli, although no immediate penalties were handed out at the time. Lewis Hamilton, who started further down the grid, also made headlines for revealing a bizarre pre-race restriction imposed at the Austrian GP—though details on that remain limited.
With Verstappen and Antonelli both out, the race has taken an unexpected turn, adding a fresh layer of unpredictability to the championship battle. Fans will now look ahead to see how Red Bull and Mercedes respond to this high-profile setback in the upcoming rounds.
