Kimi Antonelli suffered a devastating crash during the British Grand Prix, leaving his Mercedes badly damaged and forcing him to retire from the race. The collision with Isack Hadjar took place under poor visibility conditions and marked Antonelli’s fourth Did Not Finish (DNF) in just six races, intensifying concerns about his current streak and car performance.
Massive Loss of Downforce Drastically Affects Performance
The damage to Antonelli’s car was extraordinary, with the driver revealing that his Mercedes lost nearly 100 points of downforce—far beyond the impact Lewis Hamilton experienced in Canada after hitting a groundhog. While Hamilton’s mishap resulted in roughly a half-second slower lap time, Antonelli’s loss translated to an estimated 2.5 seconds per lap, severely compromising his competitiveness.
Anxiety Over Risky Strategy and Poor Visibility
Antonelli reflected on his challenging race conditions and risky early decisions, expressing his disappointment and inability to find any positives. He said,
It just seems like everything is going wrong at the moment, and it is hard to find positives.
Additionally, difficulties maintaining tire temperature after his pit stop worsened the situation. Antonelli acknowledged the role of poor visibility in the crash, admitting,
Obviously, the visibility was extremely poor, and I don’t know why, but I could feel it coming.
The collision damaged the diffuser, making the car almost uncontrollable despite his efforts to keep it on track.
Drivers Agree Crash Was Hard to Avoid Given Conditions
Both Antonelli and Hadjar appeared to recognize that the crash was almost unavoidable due to the limited visibility on the track. Hadjar remarked that the crash was quite predictable, casting doubt on the justification for restarting the race under such difficult weather. This incident has sparked concerns within the racing community about whether current protocols adequately protect drivers during hazardous conditions.
Impact on Safety Debate and Season Prospects
The aftermath of Antonelli’s dramatic crash at Silverstone highlights the ongoing risks drivers face when competing in unpredictable weather. Beyond the immediate damage to his Mercedes and the setback in his race results, the incident raises pressing questions about driver safety and decision-making during high-risk moments in Formula One. As Antonelli works to recover his form, the controversy over race conditions and safety measures will likely intensify in upcoming events.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. Antonelli, an 18-year-old new driver for Mercedes, collided with Verstappen’s Red Bull when his brakes failed at the third corner on Sunday. The crash severely damaged both cars, forcing the drivers to withdraw from the race. This was a big setback for Verstappen’s chances of winning the title.
Q. Why did Kimi Antonelli crash?
A. “I didn’t really brake too late,” Antonelli said. “However, when I did, I pressed the brakes hard, causing the rear wheels to lock. At that point, I couldn’t turn the car because I was approaching too fast. The crash couldn’t be avoided.”
Q. How old was Kimi Antonelli when he was in F4?
A. At just 15 years old, he started his car racing career. He quickly earned more titles, winning in both the Italian and ADAC F4 championships in 2022. The following year, he also succeeded in the Formula Regional Middle East and European competitions.
