Kimi Antonelli Crashes 10 Minutes into Mercedes Debut at Italian

Kimi Antonelli Crashes 10 Minutes into Mercedes Debut at Italian GP, Practice Session Halted

Monza, Italy— Kimi Antonelli’s debut with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team ended abruptly after a dramatic crash just 10 minutes into the first practice session at the Italian Grand Prix. The incident, which took place at the historic Monza circuit, led to a temporary halt in the session, prompting safety concerns and an immediate response from the marshals and race officials.

The 17-year-old Italian driver, hailed as one of the most promising talents in motorsport, was making his first official appearance for Mercedes in a Formula 1 car. However, his debut was cut short when he lost control of the car at Turn 6, known for its tricky and unforgiving nature. The high-speed section has proven challenging for even the most experienced drivers, and Antonelli was caught out as he pushed the limits of his car early on.

The impact of the crash was severe, causing significant damage to the front end of the Mercedes W14. The nose cone and front suspension were visibly damaged as the car slid into the barriers, scattering debris across the track. Fortunately, Antonelli was quick to react, managing to bring the car to a stop safely before exiting the cockpit on his own. Medics on the scene confirmed that he was uninjured, a relief for his team and the spectators who had gathered to watch the young talent’s first outing with the team.

Race officials immediately red-flagged the session, halting the on-track action as marshals and safety crews worked swiftly to clear the debris and assess the condition of the barriers. The delay lasted for approximately 20 minutes, with teams and drivers left in the pits, awaiting the green light to resume their preparations for the race weekend.

Antonelli, visibly shaken but unharmed, returned to the Mercedes garage, where he was debriefed by his team. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff spoke briefly to the press, stating, “We are relieved that Kimi is okay. It was an unfortunate incident, but he handled it well, and that’s what’s important. We’ll analyze the data to understand what happened and learn from it.”

The incident sparked a mixture of disappointment and concern among fans, who were eager to see Antonelli in action. However, many also expressed relief that the young driver was safe. Despite the setback, Antonelli’s debut remains highly anticipated as he aims to bounce back from this early challenge and make a mark in Formula 1.

The Italian Grand Prix continues with further practice sessions, where Antonelli is expected to return to the track, hoping to make the most of his debut weekend with Mercedes.