Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed how a mix-up in the pit lane cost Andrea Kimi Antonelli a better qualifying position at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix.
The young Italian rookie missed out on setting a final lap in Q3, taking the chequered flag before he could complete his final flying effort.
His original effort was good enough for seventh, but as others improved around him on their last runs, he dropped to ninth, where he will start Sunday’s race.
As Antonelli exited the pit lane, the Mercedes driver was held up behind the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto, who had slotted into a tight gap ahead of him.
Wolff has conceded that the team’s eagerness to send Antonelli out at the front of the queue ultimately backfired, costing him valuable grid positions.
Explaining the situation to Sky Sports F1, the Austrian said: “A misunderstanding here going out of the garage, probably all of us [were] a bit too greedy not to be first, and then Bortoleto kind of squeezed himself in.
“It’s a tiny gap that he left, and then everything goes against you, and he missed the flag by a second.”
The 18-year-old added: “I think I just missed on the lap, and definitely it was a shame because I was still pushing and the lap was coming and was improving and definitely was for a top six.
“But it was a shame to miss out on the flag, and now we just move forward and we try to gain as many places as possible tomorrow.”
Mercedes continues to struggle in the heat
On the other side of the garage, Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell could only manage fifth in qualifying, as the W16 struggled in the sweltering hot conditions at Spielberg.
Despite Antonelli’s setback, Wolff admitted the Mercedes package was unlikely to be capable of much more in the heat.
“Yeah, nevertheless, in these conditions, our car is just only good enough for P6 at least, and that’s something which we need to get on top of,” he concluded.
Looking ahead to the race, Antonelli also recognised the challenge posed by the high temperatures but remained optimistic about Mercedes’ potential on Sunday.
“Definitely it’s not going to be easy, but our race pace was strong, and so hopefully we can move forward and we can have the same kind of pace.”
Mercedes’ rivals Ferrari secured a front-row start with Charles Leclerc, while Lewis Hamilton slotted in just ahead of Russell in fourth.
The McLarens also looked a cut above at the Red Bull Ring, setting the stage for what could be a damage limitation weekend for the Silver Arrows.
Russell famously capitalised last year when Max Verstappen and Lando Norris collided, hitting the jackpot in Austria.
Starting from fifth this time, he would likely need another miracle on Sunday to snatch victory again in the Styrian mountains.
READ MORE – How maiden F1 podium helped Kimi Antonelli conquer his confidence crisis
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