Verstappen out of F1 Austrian GP after Antonelli clash
Verstappen was hit by Antonelli’s Mercedes on the opening lap of F1's Austrian GP
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has been eliminated from the Austrian Grand Prix after being tagged by Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap.
In the uphill run towards the Turn 3 right-hander, ninth-place starting Antonelli appeared to miss his braking point, ducking to the inside to avoid the cars ahead of him. He then locked his tyres to spear straight into the back of Verstappen at the apex.
Both Verstappen and Antonelli were out on the spot with terminal damage to their cars, with the incident bringing out the safety car.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images
Lando Norris successfully defended his pole position to lead on the lap 4 restart, with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri passing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for second.
Lewis Hamilton was fourth after a prolonged fight with the second Mercedes of George Russell.
Antonelli risks a further grid drop for next week's British Grand Prix in Silverstone as the FIA race stewards are set to investigate the collision after the race.
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