Verstappen Fumes After Antonelli Collision Ends Austrian GP Hopes
Max Verstappen unleashed his frustration after a first-lap collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli ended both drivers’ races at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, branding the incident as the result of “idiotic” driving. The dramatic crash at Turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring sparked heated post-race comments and set the stage for a tense FIA investigation.
The chaos unfolded seconds into the race, following a delayed start caused by a fire in Carlos Sainz’s Williams. Verstappen, starting seventh, had surged past Liam Lawson to claim sixth place. As the field approached the tight uphill Turn 3, Antonelli, starting ninth, locked his rear tires and lunged to the inside in an attempt to avoid traffic. The move went horribly wrong, with Antonelli’s Mercedes slamming into the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull. Both cars sustained irreparable damage, forcing immediate retirements.
Over the team radio, Verstappen’s anger was palpable: “I’m out, I got hit… F—ing idiots!” Post-race, the three-time world champion didn’t hold back, telling reporters, “It’s unbelievable. You don’t just dive like that on the first lap. It’s reckless, and now we’re both out because of it. I don’t know what he was thinking.” Verstappen, who started the weekend 43 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, called the incident a “massive blow” to his title hopes.
Antonelli, visibly shaken, took responsibility but defended his intentions. “I locked the rears and tried to avoid a bigger mess. I didn’t mean to hit Max—it was a mistake,” he said, adding a direct apology to Verstappen. “I’m sorry for ruining his race. I’ll learn from this.” The 19-year-old, under pressure as Mercedes’ highly-touted prospect, now faces an FIA investigation, with a potential grid penalty looming for the British Grand Prix.
The crash triggered a safety car, allowing McLaren’s Lando Norris to hold his lead from pole, while Oscar Piastri overtook Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for second. The incident also shuffled the midfield, with Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto dropping to tenth after avoiding the wreckage.
Verstappen’s outspoken criticism has reignited debates about aggressive driving and rookie errors in Formula 1’s high-stakes environment. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner backed his driver, stating, “Max had every right to be frustrated. It was an avoidable incident, and it’s cost us valuable points.” Meanwhile, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff urged caution, noting, “Kimi’s still learning. These things happen, but we’ll review it internally.”
As the FIA stewards deliberate, the paddock is abuzz with speculation about the championship ramifications. Verstappen’s first DNF of 2025 leaves him vulnerable in the title fight, while Antonelli’s baptism by fire underscores the challenges of his rapid ascent. The fallout from this fiery clash promises to linger as the season heads to Silverstone.
