Verstappen accepts Antonelli's apology for F1 Austrian GP clash

Max Verstappen remained supportive of Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli even after their clash at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The four-time world champion retired on the opening lap after being tagged by Antonelli at Turn 3, who locked his rear tyres after coming in from deep on the inside.

It comes after Antonelli claimed his maiden F1 podium just two weeks ago in Canada and Verstappen calmly accepted the 18-year-old’s mistake at the Red Bull Ring.

Verstappen, who spoke to Antonelli immediately after, said: “I just asked what happened, because he was the only car that was there with me with his wheel hanging off, so I was like, maybe, well, I'm pretty sure that he hit me.

“Then of course I saw the footage once I came back and it happens. Every driver has made a mistake like that. Everyone has made a mistake like that in their careers and also Kimi is a very big talent, so he learns from that and that's all fine.”

Antonelli accepted the blame and apologised to Verstappen for the incident which has given him a three-place grid drop for next weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

"It's of course very nice,” added Verstappen of Antonelli apologising. “But for me, it was already case closed. I saw what happened and no one does these things on purpose - it can happen."

It leaves the reigning world champion 61 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, who finished second in a McLaren 1-2 in Austria meaning second-placed Lando Norris is now 15 points behind his team-mate.

"I was never thinking about that anyway,” said Verstappen of the title battle. “So yeah, we just take it race by race and we try to just find more performance with the car. Try to learn from all the things that we are doing, and then we'll see what happens."