Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been penalized with a 3-place grid drop for the Hungarian Grand Prix after speeding under yellow flags during Q3. The Mercedes driver, who qualified fourth, drops to seventh.
The yellow flags were displayed when Max Verstappen (Red Bull) spun at the final corner at the end of Q3. Antonelli was found guilty of an "insufficient and unsustained" attempt to reduce his speed. He also received a penalty point on his licence.
Stewards analyzed the telemetry: "The driver of Car 12 (Antonelli) stated that on seeing the yellow flag and light panel, he lifted off the throttle earlier than his previous push lap. This was verified by the telemetry. However the reduction in speed occurred for a very short period, and in fact the car's speed when passing the scene of the incident was slightly higher than that on the previous push lap."
The speed reduction in the mini sector was less than 1%. The recommended penalty according to guidelines was 5 grid positions, but was reduced to 3 in mitigation because Antonelli did make some reduction in speed and had limited time to react.
As a result, Oscar Piastri moves up to third, alongside Verstappen in fourth. Mercedes teammate George Russell starts sixth ahead of Antonelli.
Antonelli insisted he had lifted: "The yellow flag came while I was entering the corner so I tried my best to lift. I did lift but gave up quite a bit of minimum speed compared to before. It was a shame. P3 would have been for sure but I don't think pole position."
Sources
- [Crash.net](https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1101826/1/f1-stewards-deliver-verdict-kimi-antonelli-yellow-flag-incident)
- [Formula 1 Official](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/antonelli-hit-with-grid-penalty-for-hungarian-gp-after-yellow-flag-breach-in-qualifying.1C9AT9OzLEOIUNzDfTsgdL)
