Austrian Grand Prix 2025 Chaos: Verstappen and Antonelli Crash Out on Opening Lap

The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix erupted into chaos on the very first lap, as reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli were eliminated in a dramatic collision at Turn 3, triggering a safety car and reshaping the race at the Red Bull Ring.

The incident occurred moments after a delayed start caused by a fire in Carlos Sainz’s Williams, which forced the Spaniard to retire before the race even began. Verstappen, starting from seventh on the grid, had made a strong start, overtaking Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson to claim sixth place. However, as the pack approached the uphill right-hander at Turn 3, Antonelli, starting ninth, misjudged his braking and locked up his rear tires. In a desperate attempt to avoid the cars ahead, the young Italian lunged to the inside, colliding with the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull.

The impact was catastrophic for both drivers. Verstappen’s car sustained terminal damage, and Antonelli’s Mercedes was also forced to retire, leaving both stranded in the run-off area. Over team radio, a frustrated Verstappen exclaimed, “I’m out, I got hit… F—ing idiots,” while Antonelli apologized, admitting, “Sorry about that. I locked the rear.”

The crash brought out the safety car, which remained on track until lap 4, allowing McLaren’s Lando Norris to maintain his pole position lead, with teammate Oscar Piastri overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for second. The incident also affected Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, who avoided contact but lost positions to Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, dropping to tenth.

This marks Verstappen’s first non-finish of the 2025 season and his first lap-one exit since the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, dealing a significant blow to his championship aspirations. Starting the weekend 43 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, Verstappen’s retirement leaves him vulnerable to losing further ground to the McLaren duo. Antonelli, meanwhile, faces potential scrutiny from the FIA, with stewards set to investigate the collision post-race, raising the possibility of a grid penalty for the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The dramatic start underscored the fierce competitiveness of the 2025 season, with technical issues and on-track incidents exposing the challenges faced by top teams. As the race continued, Norris and Piastri battled for the lead, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell engaged in a fierce intra-team duel for fourth.

The fallout from this incident is sure to dominate discussions in the paddock, with questions lingering about Antonelli’s aggressive move and Verstappen’s championship prospects. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the FIA’s investigation unfolds and the title fight intensifies.