KIMI ANTONELLI KEEPS P2 DESPITE UNSAFE RELEASE BY MERCEDES IN Q3
Kimi Antonelli will keep his second-place starting position after qualifying, despite an unusual incident in the pit lane.
Mercedes has been fined €7,500 by the FIA after releasing the car of Antonelli in unsafe conditions during the final part of qualifying (Q3). When Antonelli left the garage for his run, two cooling fans were still attached to the car’s radiator.
The mistake happened as the team rushed to send the car back on track. One of the fans was struck by Lando Norris as he drove past in the pit lane. The contact damaged Norris’ front wing, though it did not prevent him from continuing the session.
After reviewing the situation, the FIA decided to fine Mercedes for the unsafe release. However, the stewards did not give Antonelli a grid penalty, meaning the young Italian driver will still start the race from P2.
The incident adds a strange moment to an already dramatic qualifying session in Melbourne, but it does not change the impressive result by Antonelli for Mercedes.
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