FIA confirms Kimi Antonelli punishment after Brazilian GP incident

Kimi Antonelli has received a five-second time penalty after a Mercedes unsafe release at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Silver Arrows admitted to the FIA stewards that the release could have been handled better, as a “potentially unsafe situation” was created for the Alpine of Franco Colapinto. As such, five seconds was added to Antonelli’s race time. It will not impact his finishing position of fifth.

Kimi Antonelli receives five-second penalty after FIA investigation

The incident in question occurred at the final round of pit stops, as the rain returned at Interlagos, sparking a late flurry of action in pit lane.

Drivers were initially faced with a drying track after pre-race rain before the precipitation returned in the closing stages, meaning the intermediates were called back into use.

Antonelli had been looking at a podium place minimum in the wet, but began to struggle upon the switch to slicks.

Boxing for fresh intermediates, the Italian was released into the path of Colapinto’s Alpine, altering the stewards.

That triggered a post-race investigation into the incident for a potential unsafe release.

The verdict was a five-second penalty for Antonelli.

Their explanation reads: “The stewards heard from the driver of Car 12 (Kimi Antonelli), team representative and reviewed video and in-car video evidence and determined that Car 12 was released in an unsafe manner when Car 43 was approaching in the fast lane.

“While Car 12 was entitled to travel down the pit lane in parallel to cars in the fast lane, in this instance, Car 12 momentarily lost control on the slippery surface and had to take steps to avoid a collision and that resulted in a potentially unsafe situation.

“The team acknowledged that this release could have been handled better and in a safer manner. We impose a five-second time penalty.”

Even with the addition of the penalty, Antonelli remains fifth, officially now just over seven seconds adrift of George Russell in fourth and 15s clear of Oscar Piastri in sixth.

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Antonelli struggled to shine on his second set of intermediate tyres, as Mercedes ordered a swap of positions with George Russell, which he obeyed.

He went on to finish the race in fifth, originally two seconds behind his teammate.

That result was enough for Mercedes to ensure that they clinched the F1 2026 Constructors’ Championship, wrapping up the title double.

Last time out in Mexico City, Antonelli, 20, had made history when he secured the Drivers’ crown with a maximum of four rounds remaining at that stage.

He comfortably becomes the new youngest world champion of all-time, usurping Sebastian Vettel in that section of the F1 history books.

Both titles secured, Russell is hoping to ensure the Mercedes clean sweep by completing a one-two in the Drivers’ Championship. He has work to do.

Three rounds remain at most, and the Brit has 17 points to make up on the in-form Max Verstappen.

The season is currently scheduled to end with one final triple-header of Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

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