Kimi Antonelli Crashes Out During His Mercedes FP1 Debut at the Italian GP
Kimi Antonelli's Challenging Start
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s long-awaited F1 debut with Mercedes became a nightmarish experience after just 10 minutes of FP1 during the Italian Grand Prix. The 18-year-old driver, stepping in for George Russell, managed to record the fastest lap early in the session but tragically spun out at Parabolica and crashed into the wall.
Mercedes Reaction
This inauspicious start has raised eyebrows, as Antonelli is being considered a replacement for Lewis Hamilton next season. As the session was red-flagged, a dejected Antonelli exited the car and received words of consolation from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who tried to ease the blow, saying, Kimi, all good, all good Kimi.
What’s Next for Antonelli?
Following the crash, the stricken Mercedes was towed back, allowing FP1 to resume after a brief 10-minute delay. While Russell will return for FP2 if the car is repaired, the crash notably occurred while Antonelli was using the updated floor. However, Mercedes confirmed that there are spare parts available, suggesting the weekend is far from over.
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