© Mercedes-Benz Group AG
The biggest candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, has crashed at high speed during Italian Grand Prix FP1, causing a red flag.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 free practice debut did not go according to plan, as the young Italian lost control of his Mercedes at Parabolica, and crashed into the barrier at high speed.
The crash happened early into the session, after several quick laps on soft tyres. Thankfully, Kimi was unharmed.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff immediately went on the radio to provide support to the youngster by saying: “Kimi, all good. All good.”
Antonelli has replaced George Russell in the session, so Mercedes has to work quick to fix the damage, if George is to run in Italian Grand Prix FP2.
Mercedes’ Chief Communications Officer Bradley Lord talked about the incident to Sky Sports F1.
If you like SilverArrows.Net, consider supporting us by buying us a coffee!
“We’re literally just getting the car back as we speak,“ Lord said.
“It was a pretty hefty impact at high-speed corner. Kimi’s still down at the medical centre just being checked out making sure everything’s ok.
“We’ll assess the car and hopefully have it turned around for FP2.
“It’s unfortunate it ended the way it did. But he was on the limit, pushing the limit from lap one.
“That’s always good to see and it’s all part of the learning curve,” the Briton concluded.
