Kimi Antonelli escapes penalty after podium finish at Canadian GP!

 

Kimi Antonelli escapes penalty after podium finish at Canadian GP! Kimi Antonelli made headlines at the Canadian Grand Prix as he secured the first podium finish of his Formula One career. The 18-year-old Italian driver finished third at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, delivering a standout performance during a dramatic race in Montreal. This result marked a major breakthrough for the Mercedes rookie, especially after a tough triple-header of races that had previously affected his confidence. Antonelli’s achievement came on a day when Mercedes were in top form. George Russell took pole and converted it into his first victory of the season, capping off a dominant outing for the team. However, Antonelli's podium finish was briefly in doubt after the race. He and six other drivers; Oscar Piastri, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, and Lance Stroll were placed under investigation for overtaking while a safety car warning was active following the chequered flag. Despite the potential controversy, the FIA stewards reviewed the incident and decided to issue only warnings to the involved drivers. No penalties were applied, meaning Antonelli’s third-place finish stood. Speaking after the race, Antonelli opened up about the intensity of the final few laps. He admitted he was mentally drained and just wanted the race to end, especially with Piastri closing in within DRS range. The pressure was on, and the young driver confessed that it took immense effort to hold onto his position. Antonelli’s ability to stay composed under pressure is already drawing praise, and his first taste of an F1 podium has only fueled excitement around his future in the sport. With this result, he’s officially announced himself as one to watch.

While Kimi Antonelli’s podium was a major talking point, Mercedes had even more to celebrate in Montreal. George Russell claimed his first win of the season after starting from pole position. The Brit was strong throughout the race and held off fierce competition from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, delivering a flawless performance that lifted Mercedes back into the spotlight. However, the result did not go unchallenged. Red Bull lodged two official protests after the race, both aimed at Russell’s conduct during a safety car period. The first accusation alleged that Russell had driven erratically in front of Verstappen by braking unexpectedly. The second claim suggested that Russell had acted in an unsportsmanlike manner by reporting Verstappen over the radio, accusing the Dutchman of overtaking him under caution. The stewards reviewed both protests but ultimately dismissed them. According to their ruling, Russell’s braking did not amount to erratic driving, and they found no evidence of unsportsmanlike conduct. They noted that simply informing his team of Verstappen’s actions did not violate any regulations. Interestingly, even though Red Bull did not formally raise the issue of braking zones, the stewards still clarified that Russell’s braking was appropriate and not against the rules. The official ruling reinforced Russell’s win and shut down any lingering doubts about the integrity of his drive. With the Canadian Grand Prix behind them, Mercedes now shifts focus to the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June. The team will be riding a wave of momentum, especially with both drivers performing at a high level. As for Red Bull, they’ll be looking to regroup quickly after their protests fell flat and another rival team took the top step of the podium. The title fight is heating up

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