Karun Chandhok sympathises with Kimi Antonelli after Austrian GP qualifying error
Karun Chandhok said Kimi Antonelli should not be too hard on himself after misreading a single yellow flag as a double yellow
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has shared his sympathy for Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli after a yellow flag misjudgement cost the Italian a shot at a front-row start for the Austrian Grand Prix.
The closing moments of Q3 at the Red Bull Ring were thrown into chaos when Max Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull, triggering local yellow flags. While Mercedes team-mate George Russell identified the warning as a single yellow, lifting just enough to comply with the regulations and secure pole position, Antonelli completely abandoned his lap.
While speaking to Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, Antonelli revealed that he had misunderstood the warnings and believed it was a double yellow flag rather than a single yellow.
"I don’t know why, but I thought it was a double yellow, so I aborted completely and missed the front row," he explained. "I shouldn’t have done that. That was my mistake."
Chandhok argued that the difference in approach from the two Mercedes drivers could show the experience Russell has over his team-mate.
"This is perhaps George knowing the rules and that you have to have the diagonal double yellow. He also had a bit more time to react," the former Lotus driver explained.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
"I have some sympathy for Antonelli, having seen the clip. When he came up to that yellow flag, he was the car behind Max Verstappen. He didn't have much time to see it, and in a high-speed corner your eyeline is to the right, looking at the apex.
"I am sure he is disappointed, but he shouldn't beat himself up too much."
Russell will start the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position and will be joined on the front row by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton and Antonelli will complete the second row, starting from third and fourth, respectively.
Photos from Austrian GP - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Share Or Save This Story
Damon Hill reveals the F1 career lesson he wishes he had learned earlier
James Vowles explains how Williams F1 delays could be "one of the best things"
Sergio Perez opens up about mental toll of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull
Gianpiero Lambiase exit sparks Red Bull warning from Karun Chandhok
Karun Chandhok impressed by Kimi Antonelli: "Had the upper hand" over George Russell all weekend
Karun Chandhok reveals Helmut Marko moment that explains Red Bull’s ruthless success
George Russell shares school exam mindset behind his F1 success
Max Verstappen 'absolutely regrets' not signing with Mercedes, says Guenther Steiner
How “stressed” Kimi Antonelli beat his nerves – and Charles Leclerc – in British GP qualifying
Damon Hill reveals the F1 career lesson he wishes he had learned earlier
James Vowles explains how Williams F1 delays could be "one of the best things"
Sergio Perez opens up about mental toll of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull
Why less horsepower is actually better for NASCAR at superspeedways
Why F1's future engine rules offer new opportunities but also new pitfalls
Top 10 F1 drivers of the 2010s
Two (and a bit) years on: Red Bull's 2024 political ructions have had the opposite effect
Cars, stars, and the shootout winners from the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments