The qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix in Formula 1 ended with a mistake that cost Kimi Antonelli the chance to start from the front row. Nevertheless, the former driver of the series and current commentator, Karun Chandhok, believes the young Mercedes driver should not be overly criticized for the decision taken during Q3.
In the final moments of the session, Max Verstappen lost control of his car, hit the barrier and triggered a local yellow flag. While George Russell correctly identified the signal as a single yellow flag, he slowed down as required by the regulations and secured pole position, Antonelli interpreted the situation as a double yellow and aborted his lap completely.
After the session, the Italian admitted that he had made a misread of the signaling: “I don’t know why, but I thought it was a double yellow flag, so I completely aborted the lap and lost the chance to start from the front row. I shouldn’t have done that. It was my mistake,” he acknowledged.
Commenting on the episode for Sky Sports F1, Chandhok stated that Russell’s experience may have been decisive in the difference of reaction between the two Mercedes drivers. According to the former driver, Antonelli’s teammate knew exactly how the rule applied and also had a bit more time to interpret the situation.
“Perhaps this is the result of George knowing the rules very well and knowing that the double yellow flag must be displayed with the diagonal signal. He also had a little more time to react,” Chandhok said.
The commentator added that he fully understood the decision taken by Antonelli, considering the position he was on the track: “I have some sympathy for Antonelli after seeing the footage. He was the car right behind Verstappen, had very little time to spot the flag, and in a high-speed corner, the driver’s gaze is focused on the apex of the bend. I am sure he is disappointed, but he should not blame himself too much,” he concluded.
Despite the missed opportunity, Antonelli still secured fourth place on the starting grid for the Austrian GP. Russell will start from pole position, with Charles Leclerc beside him on the front row, while Lewis Hamilton completes the second row alongside the young Mercedes driver.
