Antonelli's Brutal High-Speed Shunt Ends Australian GP Practice Session for Mercedes
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli encountered a severe accident during the final practice session at Albert Park ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. The Italian driver lost control of his car at high speed following a tire change, resulting in a significant impact with the circuit barriers that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff later confirmed measured 17G.
The Mercedes squad faced an unwelcome conclusion to their Friday afternoon preparations when Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed during the third and final practice session for the Australian Grand Prix. The incident occurred at Albert Park with approximately 10 minutes left on the clock, as the Italian driver transitioning onto a fresh set of soft compound tires lost control of his vehicle and made violent contact with the barrier at considerable speed.
Team principal Toto Wolff subsequently provided details of the crash's severity to Sky Germany, revealing the tremendous forces involved in the accident. The impact registered at the highest level, underscoring the intensity of the collision despite the protective barriers in place at the circuit.
The crash marked a difficult moment for Antonelli and the Mercedes operation as they approached Saturday's qualifying session, with the team now tasked with assessing any potential damage to the car and the driver's condition following the high-impact shunt.
Original source
Motorsport.com
Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article B2.1.3
Free Practice Session Classification
Chapter: B2
In Simple Terms
Free Practice sessions are ranked based on each driver's fastest single lap time. The driver with the quickest lap gets first place, the second quickest gets second place, and so on down the grid.
- Classification is based solely on fastest lap time achieved during the session
- Drivers are ranked from fastest to slowest
- Only the single best lap for each driver counts toward the classification
- Free Practice results do not affect the actual race grid positions
Official FIA Text
Classification determined by fastest lap time set by each driver, with fastest in first position, second fastest in second position, and so on.
Article 9.1
Tyre Specifications
Chapter: Chapter IX - Tyres
In Simple Terms
Pirelli is F1's sole tyre supplier. Each driver gets a fixed allocation per weekend: typically 13 sets of slicks (across soft, medium, hard), plus wet weather tyres. Teams must strategically use their allocation across practice, qualifying, and the race.
- Pirelli is sole official supplier
- Fixed allocation per weekend
- Three dry compounds: soft, medium, hard
- Intermediate and wet also provided
Official FIA Text
Only tyres supplied by the official tyre supplier may be used. During a race weekend, each driver is allocated a specified number of dry weather tyre sets comprising soft, medium and hard compounds, plus intermediate and wet weather tyres.
Article B1.9.9
Abandoned Car Withdrawal from Session
Chapter: B1
In Simple Terms
If a driver abandons their car on the track during a race or qualifying session, they're automatically withdrawn from that session. However, if the car is abandoned during a red flag or technical delay, the driver may rejoin when racing resumes—but only if the car wasn't abandoned due to a breakdown, damage, or to gain a strategic advantage.
- Any car left on circuit by a driver is immediately withdrawn from the session
- Exception: Cars abandoned during red flags (Sprint suspension) or technical delays (TTCS suspension) can rejoin when the session restarts
- The abandonment cannot be due to mechanical failure, damage, or tactical reasons to qualify for the exception
- This rule prevents drivers from gaming the system by parking strategically then retrieving their cars
Official FIA Text
Any Car abandoned on circuit by driver, even temporarily, is considered withdrawn from session. In exceptional circumstances, Cars abandoned during Sprint suspension or TTCS suspension may participate when session resumes, provided not abandoned due to mechanical issue, damage or to gain advantage.
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