2 weeks Ago
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s long-awaited F1 debut with Mercedes lasted just 10 minutes before he crashed out of FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix. The 18-year-old was running in place of George Russell to gain his first experience behind the wheel in F1 but, having initially set the fastest lap of the session, he spun off at Parabolica and hit the wall. With Antonelli expected as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes next season, it was an inauspicious start to the Italian teenager’s F1 journey.
After swearing and apologising over the team radio, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff consoled Antonelli, replying: “Kimi all good, all good Kimi.” The session was red-flagged as a dejected Antonelli climbed out and trudged away, while the stricken Mercedes was taken back to the pit lane, with FP1 resuming after a 10-minute delay. Mercedes confirmed after the crash that Antonelli was running with the updated floor for the session, but insisted there were spares that could be used, meaning there was as yet no impact on the weekend.
Russell will be back behind the wheel in FP2 should the car be fixed up in time by the Mercedes mechanics..
