Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli faces a potential penalty following Sprint qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. During SQ1, the first session of sprint qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit, Antonelli impeded Lando Norris whereas on a leisurely lap.
Norris was preparing to begin a flying lap, aiming to improve his time and close the gap to the Mercedes drivers, when the incident occurred. The McLaren driver was forced to brake sharply as Antonelli moved across the track at Turn 1. Norris immediately reported the incident to his race engineer, stating that Antonelli had blocked him.
“Yeah, I was completely blocked by the Mercedes,” Norris said. Race engineer Will Joseph confirmed it was Antonelli and that McLaren would report the incident to race control. Norris added, “I was setting up for a push lap,” said the reigning World Champion, emphasizing the impact of the obstruction.
Formula 1 race control immediately investigated the incident, and race director Rui Marques referred the matter to the stewards for review. The stewards deemed a further investigation necessary, summoning both Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli to the FIA offices at the Shanghai circuit.
Given the clear obstruction and the fact that Norris was on a fast lap, a penalty for Antonelli appears likely. The stewards are expected to issue a three-place grid penalty – consistent with previous rulings – which would drop Antonelli to fifth on the grid.
In that scenario, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc would each move up one position for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will not benefit from any potential penalties, however, as he qualified in ninth and struggled with his RB22 – a frustration he voiced over team radio!
