Kimi Antonelli apologized to Max Verstappen after a collision at the Austrian Grand Prix, which took place at the race’s first corner. The crash negatively affected both drivers‘ performances, with Antonelli receiving a three-place grid penalty for the next race at Silverstone. This incident significantly impacted Verstappen’s opportunity to secure a strong result at Red Bull’s home circuit.

Details of the Incident and Antonelli’s Explanation

Driving for Mercedes, Antonelli explained the mistake during an interview with Sky Sports F1. He stated that while he did not brake too late, he locked his rear wheels due to hard braking behind other vehicles. Unable to stop in time, Antonelli tried to avoid Liam Lawson but approached the corner too quickly. When he locked the front wheels, he inadvertently accelerated instead of reducing speed, making the collision unavoidable. He expressed regret towards both his team and Verstappen, recognizing that Verstappen was an innocent party in the crash.

Verstappen’s Record and Race Outcome at Red Bull Ring

Before this race, Verstappen had an impressive record at the Red Bull Ring, including four wins, six podium finishes, four pole positions, and four fastest laps. Despite these statistics, he could only observe as Lando Norris outpaced his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to extend their championship leads. Verstappen’s weekend was marked by challenges, which were evident in the race results and qualifying sessions.

Verstappen’s Response to the Incident and Future Outlook

Verstappen described the weekend’s performance as unfortunate, similar to the difficulties faced during qualifying. He admitted that the team’s pace was lacking throughout the event but viewed the experience as a chance to gather lessons for upcoming races. After reviewing the crash footage, Verstappen did not hold strong resentment toward Antonelli, understanding that mistakes happen to all drivers at some point in their careers. He also complimented Antonelli’s talent and expressed confidence in his ability to learn from this incident.

“I saw the footage once I came back and it happens,”

—Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver

Championship Context and Remaining Challenges

Currently, Verstappen stands third in the championship with 155 points. He trails second-place Lando Norris by 46 points and leader Oscar Piastri by 61 points, illustrating a highly competitive season among the top contenders. This points gap underscores the importance of each race, with Verstappen determined to improve his form and challenge for higher standings at upcoming events.