Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s long-awaited F1 debut with Mercedes lasted just 10 minutes before he crashed out of FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix.
The 18-year-old was running in place of George Russell to gain his first experience behind the wheel in F1 but, having initially set the fastest lap of the session, he spun off at Parabolica and hit the wall.
With Antonelli expected as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes next season, it was an inauspicious start to the Italian teenager’s F1 journey.
After swearing and apologising over the team radio, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff consoled Antonelli, replying: “Kimi all good, all good Kimi.”
The session was red-flagged as a dejected Antonelli climbed out and trudged away, while the stricken Mercedes was taken back to the pit lane, with FP1 resuming after a 10-minute delay.
Mercedes confirmed after the crash that Antonelli was running with the updated floor for the session, but insisted there were spares that could be used, meaning there was as yet no impact on the weekend.
Russell will be back behind the wheel in FP2 should the car be fixed up in time by the Mercedes mechanics.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, chief communications officer Bradley Lord said: “We’re literally just getting the car back. It was a pretty hefty impact at high-speed corner.
“We’ll assess the car and hopefully have it turned around for FP2.
“It’s unfortunate it ended the way it did. But he was on the limit, pushing the limit from lap one, that’s always good to see and it’s all part of the learning curve.”
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