Home
Mercedes’ rising star Kimi Antonelli has defied setbacks to secure a fresh milestone in his debut Formula 1 season. The 17-year-old, who stepped into Lewis Hamilton’s shoes after the seven-time champion’s move to Ferrari, turned heads at the Australian Grand Prix with a gritty drive from 16th to fourth in Melbourne. However, post-race drama unfolded when stewards slapped him with a five-second penalty for an unsafe pit release, dropping him to fifth.
Despite the blow, Antonelli’s resilience and standout performance—earning crucial points for Mercedes—solidified his reputation as a future titan. But the story didn’t end there…
Kimi Antonelli reclaims fourth place after Mercedes’ appeal
In a twist that reignited the drama of Melbourne’s chaotic race, Antonelli’s fifth-place finish was upgraded to fourth after Mercedes successfully challenged the penalty. The stewards initially ruled that Antonelli’s pit stop release blocked Nico Hulkenberg’s Kick Sauber, risking an unsafe exit. However, new evidence—a previously unseen roll-hoop camera angle and helicopter footage—revealed a different narrative.
The footage showed Kimi Antonelli cautiously merging into the pit lane’s fast lane only after confirming clearance in his mirrors. Crucially, he maintained ample distance from McLaren’s garage, ensuring no danger to mechanics or rivals.
“It is clear that Car 12 did not cross into the fast lane until a significant distance down the pit lane,” stated the stewards’ report, overturning their earlier verdict.
The reversal not only restored Antonelli’s fourth-place finish but also reshuffled the championship standings. The teenager’s two additional points propelled Mercedes into a tie with McLaren at the top of the Constructors’ Championship, both teams now sitting on 27 points. For Williams, Alex Albon’s points tally dropped from 12 to 10, though the team retained fourth overall.
Kimi Antonelli’s rollercoaster debut highlighted his maturity under pressure. From threading through traffic in wet-dry conditions to navigating post-race technical disputes, the rookie showcased why Mercedes fast-tracked him into Hamilton’s seat. While the penalty initially cast a shadow, the overturned decision underscored Formula 1’s evolving reliance on technology—and the importance of leaving no camera angle unexamined.
