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F1 Announced Punishment for Kimi Antonelli at Chinese GP Sprint

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Arman Khan | Last updated Mar 14, 2026 6:17 AM ET

Formula 1 stewards issued a 10-second time penalty to Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli following an incident with Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar during the Sprint race at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.

According to an official document released by the FIA, the incident occurred on Lap 1 at Turn 6, where Antonelli’s Car 12 collided with Hadjar’s Car 6 while the two were battling for position.

After reviewing the video and onboard footage, the stewards determined that Hadjar had already established sufficient overlap on the outside heading into the corner. Under the FIA’s Driving Standards Guidelines, this meant the Red Bull driver had earned the right to racing room on the inside of the turn.

Kimi Antonelli apologizes to Isack Hadjar after a collision during the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race.Mark Thompson/Getty Images

However, Antonelli locked a rear wheel while approaching the apex and understeered into Hadjar’s car, pushing the Red Bull driver wide off the track and causing him to lose a position.

The stewards concluded that Antonelli was wholly responsible for the collision, citing a breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2d of the FIA International Sporting Code, and imposed the standard 10-second time penalty.

Kimi Antonelli's Sprint Race Drama Sets Up Historic Qualifying

The Sprint race itself was won by George Russell, who secured victory for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli finished fifth on track after serving the 10-second penalty for the Lap 1 incident.

Following the collision, Antonelli was seen approaching Isack Hadjar after the sprint race to apologize for the contact at Turn 6. Hadjar, however, appeared unimpressed with the move.

Kimi and Isack in parc ferme after contact in the Sprint #F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/fTtyXC50Q6
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026

Speaking after the Sprint, the Red Bull driver criticized the Mercedes star’s approach to the incident. “I don’t understand why he’s so overexcited like that when he has a rocketship,” Hadjar told the French media Canal+ while reacting to the clash.

Despite the Sprint setback and criticism from his rival, Antonelli responded impressively later in the day. During qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit, the Italian driver delivered a standout lap to secure his first Formula 1 pole position.

The result made Antonelli the youngest pole-sitter in Formula 1 history, marking a dramatic turnaround to his Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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