Formula 1 race stewards have confirmed Kimi Antonelli penalty after his dramatic Austrian GP first-lap collision with reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
The Mercedes rookie driver was handed a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone following a thorough post-race investigation.
The incident unfolded on the opening lap at the Red Bull Ring with Antonelli starting from ninth on the grid and Verstappen positioned further ahead. As the field approached Turn 3, Antonelli, in his Mercedes, found himself in a tightly packed group of cars.
Attempting to brake at his usual point, Antonelli locked up his rear tyres—a critical error that sent his car out of control and directly into the side of Verstappen’s Red Bull.
The force of the impact was enough to immediately end the race for both drivers, triggering a safety car deployment and sending shockwaves through both the Mercedes and Red Bull camps.
Video: Max Verstappen Kimi Antonelli crash at the Austrian GP
In the aftermath, Antonelli was quick to accept responsibility for the crash. Speaking to media outlets, the 18-year-old expressed deep regret for the incident.
He further elaborated that his attempt to avoid a collision with Liam Lawson who was directly in front of him, forced him to release the brakes momentarily which only exacerbated his loss of control.
The stewards’ investigation was comprehensive, involving video evidence and testimony from both Antonelli and Mercedes team representatives.
Their verdict was unequivocal: Antonelli was found “fully at fault” for the collision.
The official report stated: “The driver of Car 12 [Antonelli] locked up the rear brakes into Turn 3 and collided with Car 1 [Verstappen].
“In the hearing, the driver admitted that he made a mistake as he locked up the rear wheels while using his regular braking point, but also pointed out that he needed to avoid a collision with Car 30 [Liam Lawson] in front of him and released the brakes for a short period of time to do so.”
The stewards further clarified that although first-lap incidents are often judged with a degree of leniency due to the chaotic nature of the start, this specific incident did not meet the criteria for such consideration.
They determined that no other cars influenced the crash and that Antonelli’s actions alone led to the outcome.
Austrian GP 2025 highlights: Norris battles Piastri to win, Antonelli Verstappen crash
F1 Austrian Grand Prix 2025 Results
As a result, the more lenient approach typically applied to Lap 1 incidents was not used in this case. Instead, Antonelli was handed a three-place grid drop for the British Grand Prix and received two penalty points on his FIA Super Licence—the first such points in his burgeoning Formula 1 career.
Kimi Antonelli penalty marks a huge setback as the Mercedes rookie has endured a challenging season. The Austrian GP marked his fourth non-score in five races, a difficult run only briefly interrupted by a podium finish in Canada.
The pressure on the young Italian is immense as he balances the expectations of driving for one of F1’s most successful teams with the steep learning curve of competing against the world’s best drivers.
The Silverstone penalty means Antonelli will have to start the British Grand Prix at least three places lower than his qualifying position, complicating his efforts to score points and regain momentum in the championship.
