Verstappen Out of Race in Austria: Antonelli Causes Crash on Lap 1

Verstappen out of the race in Austria after a collision with Antonelli

The Austrian Grand Prix, a home race for Red Bull, saw Max Verstappen out of the competition after an incident with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli on the first lap. The crash occurred at turn 3, complicating Verstappen’s championship aspirations. Verstappen, who started the race with a 43-point deficit to the championship leader, Oscar Piastri, suffered a hard blow to his already diminished chances of retaining this year’s title. After qualifying in seventh position, Verstappen gained a position at Turn 1, overtaking Liam Lawson. He was positioning his Red Bull to attack the leading cars when he was hit by Antonelli.

I’m out, they hit me… Damn idiots.
Max Verstappen

Antonelli, trying to overtake Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto for sixth place, locked his brakes and went down the inside of the corner. Unable to slow his car down in time, the Mercedes rookie overshot the racing line and collided with Verstappen. Both cars ended up in the run-off area of turn 3, where both retired from the race.