Mercedes issued F1 punishment at Japanese Grand Prix

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Japanese Grand Prix

Mercedes issued punishment at Japanese Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli fell foul of the stewards at Suzuka

Chris Deeley

Friday 4 April 2025 12:30

Mercedes have been handed a punishment for one of their drivers breaching Formula 1 rules at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Kimi Antonelli was pinged for speeding in the pit lane in Friday's first practice session at Suzuka, the team being fined €100 for being just 0.9km/h over the limit.

Antonelli was less than 1km/h over the 80 km/h speed limit, but that's far from the most minor infringement punished along these lines, with the likes of Max Verstappen and Mick Schumacher punished for being just 0.1km/h over the limit in the past.

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Antonelli had a reasonably pedestrian practice session, setting the ninth fastest time on Friday morning while his team-mate George Russell was second on the timing boards behind Lando Norris.

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Mercedes fined at Japanese Grand Prix

His Mercedes team-mate Russell has also had an impressive start to the 2025 season as the team adjust to life without Hamilton, picking up a pair of podium finishes to start the year.

An FIA statement read: "Car 12 exceeded the pit lane speed limit which is set at 80 km/h for this event by 0.9 km/h.

"Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits."

Max Verstappen Mercedes Formula 1 Kimi Antonelli Japanese Grand Prix Mick Schumacher