Andrea Kimi Antonelli has had his fourth place finish at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix reinstated after Mercedes successfully appealed with the stewards.
Anotnelli, 18, was masterful in the wet Melbourne conditions on Sunday.
Starting 16th on the grid, the Mercedes rookie survived one spin at Albert Park to climb to fourth on the road by the time the chequered flag fell.
However, the Mercedes ace was noted for an unsafe release in pit-lane, shortly after he’d made his pass on Williams’ Alex Albon to claim fourth and the stewards decided to hand the young Italian a five-second time penalty, demoting him to fifth.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Mercedes lodged a right of review, and upon the Stewards’ reviewing new evidence, the penalty was lifted and Antonelli reclaimed fourth place.
The decision was overturned thanks to roll-hoop video evidence that was only available post-race.
“The petitioner provided video from the roll hoop camera which was previously unavailable,” read the stewards’ statement.
“This video was relevant and significant in the opinion of the Stewards and was unavailable at the time of the original decision (having only been downloaded from the Formula One camera post-race).
“Having examined the new video, plus additional video previously not available to the Stewards and taken from the helicopter, the Stewards decide to reverse the previous Decision.
“As a result the penalty on Car 12 in Document number 43 is removed and no further action is required.
“It is clear that Car 12 did not cross into the fast lane until a significant distance down the pit lane and only after the driver checked his mirror to confirm clearance with Car 27.
“The roll hoop camera shows that he had sufficient room to safely pass the McLaren pits without risk to the McLaren mechanics.”
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That’s what happens when you sack an experienced driver steward and don’t maintain the competency of the ‘sporting official’ stewards in proper evaluation of ALL evidence.
Or with all the data streams, make sure RC supply all video, etc.
Even on the main TV feed it was obvious a lateral gap was maintained.