Max Verstappen Reveals Words to Kimi Antonelli After A… read more
Max Verstappen has opened up about the conversation he had with Kimi Antonelli following the dramatic collision that forced both drivers out of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix on the very first lap. The high-profile incident occurred at Turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring, where the young Italian driver misjudged his braking, locking up and causing a multi-car incident that significantly altered the complexion of the race.
The first-lap chaos was triggered when Antonelli, racing for Mercedes, made a bold move into the corner but lost control under heavy braking. The 18-year-old clipped Liam Lawson’s RB car before slamming into the Red Bull of Verstappen. The collision spun Verstappen out and left both the Dutchman and Antonelli with terminal damage. While Lawson was able to recover and soldier on to a career-best sixth-place finish, Verstappen and Antonelli were forced into an immediate retirement from the race.
Speaking to the media after the race, Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, reflected calmly on the incident. The Dutchman is known for his fiery competitiveness, especially in high-stakes situations, but on this occasion, he showed remarkable composure and understanding. “I just asked what happened, because he was the only car that was there with me, with his wheel hanging off,” Verstappen revealed. He said his brief exchange with Antonelli wasn’t heated, and he simply wanted to understand what had occurred.
Antonelli, still in the infancy of his F1 career, immediately took full responsibility for the incident. The Italian rookie admitted fault and confirmed he had apologised to Verstappen, though he confessed he wasn’t entirely sure what the Dutchman had said in response. “I went straight to him and said sorry,” Antonelli told reporters. “It was completely my mistake. But to be honest, I didn’t quite catch what he said to me. Everything was happening so fast.”
Despite the early exit and a potentially pivotal setback in his title challenge, Verstappen was gracious in his remarks. Rather than criticizing Antonelli, he chose to focus on the Mercedes driver’s potential. “He’s a very big talent,” Verstappen said. “Mistakes happen, especially when you’re young and still learning. The important thing is that he learns from this and grows. We’ve all been there.”
The stewards wasted little time in investigating the incident. After reviewing the footage and listening to both drivers, the FIA concluded that Antonelli was wholly at fault for the crash. As a result, he was handed a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone and received two penalty points on his super licence. It was a painful but important lesson for the rising star, who has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has also drawn scrutiny for inconsistent decision-making under pressure.
For Verstappen, the Austrian Grand Prix was supposed to be a chance to reignite his title defense after a series of mixed results. Instead, it turned into what Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko later described as a “black day” for the team. Team principal Christian Horner echoed those sentiments, conceding that the title fight had now become significantly more difficult, especially with McLaren taking a dominant one-two finish through Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Antonelli’s error couldn’t have come at a worse time for Verstappen or Red Bull, particularly at their home Grand Prix. The crowd, heavily packed with Dutch supporters, watched in stunned silence as their hero’s race ended after just three corners. However, Verstappen’s mature handling of the aftermath drew praise from fans and pundits alike. Former F1 driver and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle remarked, “That’s the kind of sportsmanship and leadership you expect from a seasoned champion. Max could have torn into the kid, but he didn’t.”
As the paddock turns its attention to Silverstone, all eyes will be on how both drivers respond. Verstappen will be seeking redemption and vital championship points, while Antonelli will aim to rebuild confidence and demonstrate that he can learn from his mistakes.
In a sport as unforgiving as Formula 1, incidents like these are inevitable. But the way they are handled often reveals more about a driver than the incident itself. For Verstappen, it was a moment to show leadership and poise. For Antonelli, it was a moment to learn and grow. Whether this exchange becomes a mere footnote in the 2025 season or a pivotal turning point remains to be seen — but it will surely be remembered as a defining moment for both.
