F1 star facing FIA demotion at British Grand Prix

A Mercedes F1 star has been hit with a grid demotion at the British Grand Prix, after the FIA confirmed a penalty from last weekend’s race in Austria.

Chaos erupted on the opening lap of the Austrian GP, when Kimi Antonelli locked up into Turn 3 and pummelled into the side of Max Verstappen’s RB21.

F1 HEADLINES: Lando Norris disqualification verdict announced as FIA confirm race result

The pair came to a standstill on the track as a safety car was deployed, and both drivers jumped out of the car safely, but were unable to continue due to the damage inflicted on the Red Bull and Mercedes.

As a result, the stewards have given Antonelli a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming British GP at Silverstone this weekend, and whilst they understood the collision was not intentional, he was still predominantly to blame for the incident.

The penalty means that even if Antonelli were to secure pole position at Silverstone, he can only hope for a best start on the grid of P4.

Is Verstappen out of the F1 title race?

Antonelli’s crash with Verstappen has also severely damaged the Dutchman’s chances of a fifth world title, after he emerged point-less from Austria and is now 61 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Despite the devastating consequences for his title hopes, Verstappen remained calm after the incident and journeyed over to Antonelli where they appeared to have a civil conversation.

Speaking to the media after the race, Verstappen was equally measured, where he said: “Unlucky, I guess. It is what it is. I spoke quickly to Kimi, he came with me to the hospitality.

““I think every driver has made a mistake like that. No one does that on purpose as well so for me, that’s not a big deal.

“It was not the weekend that I guess we hoped for pace wise. Then of course we were a little bit unlucky in qualifying with that yellow flag, otherwise you start a bit further ahead.

"Then the race was unlucky again. Sometimes you have those weekends.”

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton disqualification proves McLaren are real deal at Austrian Grand Prix

Related

Latest F1 News

Mercedes F1 to run ORANGE livery at British Grand Prix this weekend

• Yesterday 20:57

Austrian Grand Prix

FIA announce outcome of Piastri inspection as samples taken after Austrian Grand Prix

• Yesterday 18:42