ANTONELLI ADMITS MISTAKE AFTER AUSTRIA QUALIFYING AS RUSSELL POLE STANDS
Kimi Antonelli accepted responsibility after qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, admitting he made a mistake during the final moments of Q3 when a yellow flag situation changed the outcome of the session. Speaking to Sky Sport F1 after qualifying, the Mercedes driver said he should not have aborted his final lap.
Antonelli explained that when Max Verstappen crashed in the final sector, he believed there were double yellow flags in place. Because of this, he immediately lifted off and abandoned his flying lap, losing valuable time at a crucial moment when the battle for pole position was extremely tight.
He later clarified that this assumption was wrong. The situation on track involved a single yellow flag zone, not double yellows, meaning drivers were required to slow down only in the affected area but were not forced to completely stop pushing once clear of it. Antonelli’s decision to fully back off cost him significant lap time and ultimately a front-row start.
In contrast, George Russell handled the situation differently on his final lap. After reaching the area where Verstappen had crashed, he reduced speed appropriately within the yellow flag zone. Once he passed the marshal panels, he was able to return to full throttle and complete his lap without breaking any rules.
Race control and the FIA later confirmed that Russell’s lap was legal. Data showed he had slowed sufficiently in the affected sector and had not gained any advantage while passing through the yellow flag area. As a result, his time stood and he was confirmed on pole position.
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