Antonelli “thanks” Max: Verstappen’s accident allows him to take part in Qualifying

F1 Australia Qualifying, Antonelli participates thanks to Max

For Kimi Antonelli, the first Saturday of the World Championship started very badly. The Bolognese driver ended FP3 in Melbourne against the wall after the first chicane, and seriously risked not taking part in the Australian GP Qualifying.

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The Mercedes mechanics fought against time to repair the W17, but they had already given up. What “saved” Antonelli was Max Verstappen‘s accident at turn-1 (which will force the Dutchman to start from the back of the grid tomorrow).

The red flag and the resulting interruption of about ten minutes gave the Mercedes garage more time, which then sent the 19-year-old out on track.

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Having escaped the danger, Antonelli completed a clean lap, qualifying for Q2 without any problems. And now, thanks to Verstappen’s k.o., he can fight for a pole position that sees teammate George Russell as the favorite.

Read more Car on track in unsafe conditions: Antonelli summoned by the Stewards