In a blunt review after the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff declared that Kimi Antonelli will never again repeat the laps of error that cost him a better finish.
Antonelli, who began the race in fourth, exposed gaps in his opening laps after a cautious qualifying run that saw him misjudge a single‑waved yellow flag as a double yellow over Max Verstappen’s crash. The misunderstanding left him short on time and shot him into fifth when Verstappen overtook him in the first five corners.
Misread Flags and Overaggressive Aggression
Wolff admitted the mis‑read flag forced Antonelli to lose pace early. He said the 19‑year‑old fought too hard to stay beside George Russell, abandoning a disciplined approach: “He wanted to be right there and cost him a position or two.” The driver’s own post‑race comments echoed this, noting that during the early stint his brakes gave trouble and his drive “wasn’t as free”.
Qualifying Tensions Turn Into Race Woes
Antonelli commented that topping both Friday practice sessions—an achievement that eased his confidence—ultimately led him to lower his intensity for the weekend. He described a tense final lap in qualifying that left him trailing Russell by said a tenth of a second. “It would have probably been P2, very close, but P2,” he admitted.
Assessment of the Race Performance
After a “very bad first lap” and repeated braking errors in Turns 1, 3 and 4, Antonelli’s hesitation cleared. The young driver’s second stint improved as he “reset” following a tyre change, and his pace again surged. Yet he finished fifth, with accusations that his mistakes cost him a chance at second or even first place. “Without them, we could have fought for P2 or P1,” he declared.
Looking Ahead
Wolff wrapped up the interview by insisting the mistakes were learning moments. Antonelli responded with resolution, saying the same errors “will not happen again.” The Austrian GP will serve as a reminder that the margins in Formula One are razor thin – a single misread flag or a brake art can turn a reward into disappointment.
"