Andrea Kimi Antonelli denied that he braked too late in the crash with Max Verstappen that put both drivers out on the opening lap of Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Antonelli was unable to sustain the momentum that his inaugural podium in Canada delivered last time out as he was eliminated three corners in at the Red Bull Ring.
The Italian, who started ninth as he was unable to set a last lap in Q3, clattered into Verstappen’s Red Bull in his attempt to take avoiding action when he went in deep.
Antonelli, though, has dismissed that overeagerness was behind the collision as he cited that locking both rear brakes meant he was powerless to slow his Mercedes.
“I didn’t necessarily brake too late, it’s just that when I braked, I braked hard because I was behind other cars, and in that moment I locked the rears,” he explained.
“Then I just couldn’t stop the car.
“I locked the rear and then lost the car, and then had to avoid [Liam] Lawson. Then it was too late because I was arriving just too quick.
“I started to lock the front and instead of decelerating, I was accelerating. The car was just taking speed and the crash was inevitable.”
Antonelli acknowledges potential repercussions
Antonelli, who apologised to Verstappen, recognised that the miscalculation could hand him a grid drop that also compromises his race next weekend at Silverstone.
“Just feel super sorry to the team, and to Max of course, because obviously he was just a passenger,” he continued.
“Of course, it’s a big mistake. Now we need to move forward and focus on Silverstone.
“We’ll see if we get a penalty or not, but it’s going to be important to get back and start doing like I did in Canada.”
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