Mercedes Mayhem: FIA Wipes Crucial Lap, Shocking Blow to F1 Star After…read more
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Mercedes F1 rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli had a landmark weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix, securing his first-ever Formula 1 podium finish. However, his achievement was slightly clouded by a post-race decision from the FIA, which revealed that he was one of several drivers handed a lap time deletion during the race.
At just 18 years and 294 days old, Antonelli became the third-youngest driver in Formula 1 history to stand on the podium. The young Italian star made a bold early move on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri to clinch third place, finishing behind race winner Max Verstappen and his Mercedes teammate George Russell. The result not only marked a personal milestone for Antonelli but also brought a much-needed boost to the Mercedes team, who reclaimed second place in the Constructors’ Championship and narrowed the gap to leaders McLaren.
Antonelli’s performance in Canada was a continuation of his impressive rookie season. After just ten races in Formula 1, he has already established himself as one of the sport’s rising stars. His consistent form has placed him seventh in the Drivers’ Championship standings, only 16 points shy of the legendary Lewis Hamilton.
Despite his stellar drive, Antonelli, along with six other drivers, was later revealed to have had a lap time deleted due to track limits violations. According to the official statement from the FIA, the infraction occurred on lap three when Antonelli cut across the Turn 14 chicane—an area infamous for its proximity to the Wall of Champions. In order to avoid a potentially race-ending mistake, Antonelli missed the corner and drove over the escape route, leading to the lap time deletion.
He was not alone in facing this sanction. Oliver Bearman, Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar, Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc all had lap times erased for similar incidents at Turn 14. Additionally, Alex Albon lost a lap time on the opening lap for cutting Turn 9, before later retiring from the race due to a power unit failure.
The list of deleted laps highlighted how treacherous the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve can be, particularly at Turn 14, where even the most seasoned drivers have historically struggled. The FIA’s decision, while standard under current regulations, didn’t affect Antonelli’s final race result, as the deleted lap was not one of his key competitive times.
Beyond Antonelli’s personal achievement, Mercedes’ strong showing in Canada may signal a turning point in their season. Russell’s victory marked the team’s first win of the year and, when combined with Antonelli’s third place, gave the Silver Arrows a valuable haul of points. This success came after a string of inconsistent results during the European triple-header and may provide new momentum heading into the heart of the summer season.
Russell credited the win to cooler conditions, which Mercedes cars have traditionally performed well in. Although the temperature reached the mid-twenties Celsius on race day, the team’s pace remained strong—challenging the prevailing belief that their performance suffers in warmer weather.
This result could signal a broader shift in the competitive balance at the top of the grid. If Mercedes continues to perform across varying climates, they could mount a serious challenge to McLaren’s recent dominance. With Russell winning and Antonelli delivering one of the standout rookie performances in years, there is growing optimism within the team that they are finally on the right trajectory.
Antonelli’s podium, the youngest for Mercedes and third youngest overall behind Verstappen and Lance Stroll, represents more than just a personal success—it may be the beginning of a new era for the Brackley-based outfit. With continued development and consistent performances, both Antonelli and Mercedes could be serious contenders as the season progresses.
