Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli faced a tough start to his Belgian Grand Prix weekend, crashing out in the first segment of sprint qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps.
The 18-year-old Italian, in his debut season with the Silver Arrows alongside George Russell, lost control of his car at the high-speed Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex during SQ1. Antonelli’s spin sent him into the barriers, bringing out the red flags and ending his session prematurely.
Despite the setback, Antonelli emerged unharmed and walked away from the wreckage. The incident leaves him starting from the back for Saturday’s sprint race, adding pressure to his already challenging adaptation to F1’s demands.
Team principal Toto Wolff called it a learning moment, noting the circuit’s notorious unpredictability in variable conditions. With rain threatening throughout the weekend, Mercedes will now focus on repairs and strategy to salvage points in the sprint and main race.
