Kimi Antonelli: Surprising decision after pit stop penalty!

Kimi Antonelli: Surprising decision after pit stop penalty!

Andrea Kimi Antonelli caused excitement at the Australian Grand Prix. Initially, the Mercedes junior was relegated to fifth place due to a five-second penalty for having an “unsteady release” in the pit lane. But race stewards reversed their decision after new evidence emerged showing Antonelli had committed no wrongdoing on pit road. “It is clear that the number 12 car only entered the ‘fast lane’ after a considerable distance,” the official statement clarified. This means Antonelli now remains in fourth place and secures important points for Mercedes, who are now level in the race for the constructors' world championship with McLaren, who are in first place with 27 points. Red Bull follows nine points behind, like laola1.at reported.

With the impending debut in Formula 1, Antonelli's anticipation is growing. “It's something I've dreamed of since I was a child,” he said when announcing his role as Mercedes driver for the 2025 season. Alongside George Russell, he will tackle the challenge of being the successor to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, whose shoes are difficult to fill. Antonelli shows respect for Hamilton: "I don't want to see this as his replacement; I'm just the next driver for Mercedes. He's a great figure in the sport and has achieved so much." While he awaits his debut, Antonelli will continue to take part in testing and finish his rookie season in Formula 2, where he currently sits sixth in the standings formula1.com reported.