Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying Marred by Kimi Antonelli Crash
A dramatic turn of events unfolded during Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, as Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli brought out the red flags after a shunt at the end of Q1. The Italian rookie was on his final flying lap in the first part of Qualifying in Monte Carlo, and was at risk of finding himself in the drop zone as other drivers continued to lower their times.
According to a report by Formula 1, Antonelli clipped the inside wall on the entry to the Nouvelle Chicane, which caused the tyre to pop off its rim. This incident left the 18-year-old unable to navigate the following right-hand turn, resulting in him ending up in the barrier. Despite the severity of the crash, Antonelli confirmed over the radio that he was okay, but apologised for the incident, stating "I’m sorry". Unfortunately for Antonelli, his day of running came to an end, with him failing to make it through to Q2, qualifying in a disappointing P15.
The incident was just the beginning of a difficult day for Mercedes, as team-mate George Russell was forced to retire from Q2 due to technical issues. This paved the way for McLaren’s Lando Norris to take pole position at the end of a thrilling session. As Formula 1 reports, Norris’s pole position was secured with a last-gasp lap, beating out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
The Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying session was marked by intense action, with drivers pushing to the limit in pursuit of a coveted grid position. As noted by Formula 1, Antonelli’s crash brought out the red flags, providing a dramatic conclusion to Q1. Fortunately, the young driver emerged unscathed, but his crash will undoubtedly be a source of disappointment for the Mercedes team.
In a post-Qualifying analysis, Formula 1 highlighted the intense pressure faced by drivers during the session. The Monaco Grand Prix is renowned for its challenging circuit, and the Qualifying session proved to be a true test of drivers’ skills.
The incident involving Antonelli serves as a reminder of the risks involved in high-speed motorsport. As Formula 1 reports, Antonelli’s crash will be a valuable learning experience for the young driver, who will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back in the remainder of the season. For now, attention turns to the Monaco Grand Prix, where Norris will start from pole position, with Antonelli lining up in a disappointing P15.
For footage of Antonelli’s crash, viewers can visit the Formula 1 website.
