Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, tipped to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season, experienced a dramatic start to his Formula One career. During his debut practice session at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday, Antonelli crashed heavily at the high-speed Parabolica corner. The incident, which occurred just ten minutes into the session, saw the rear of Antonelli’s Mercedes lose grip, sending the car spinning off into the barriers.
Antonelli, who celebrated his 18th birthday last Sunday, had initially made a promising start to the session, setting the early pace with a clean first lap. However, the unfortunate incident brought a premature end to his first taste of Formula One action. Thankfully, Antonelli emerged from the crash unharmed, and after apologizing over the radio, he walked away from the scene.
The team swiftly brought the damaged car back to the pits for repairs, with race regular George Russell scheduled to take over for the second practice session. Team spokesman Bradley Lord confirmed the impact had been significant and that Antonelli had been taken to the medical center for precautionary checks.
Despite the incident, Lord remained optimistic about Antonelli’s future, highlighting his willingness to push the limits. “It’s unfortunate it ended the way it did. But he was on the limit, pushing the limit from lap one, that’s always good to see and it’s all part of the learning curve,” he stated.
Antonelli’s debut crash serves as a reminder of the demanding nature of Formula One, but his determination and talent remain evident. With a potential move to Mercedes confirmed, Antonelli’s journey in the world of motorsport is only just beginning, and this early setback will undoubtedly serve as a valuable learning experience.
