Mercedes has formally submitted a request to reassess the penalty slapped on Kimi Antonelli during the closing moments of the Australian Grand Prix. The punitive action, which saw Antonelli’s ranking drop from the fourth to the fifth position, trailed an unsafe release towards the end of the race.
Antonelli, who was initially positioned 16th on the grid, had managed an impressive climb and crossed the line in the fourth place. This was after he outperformed Alex Albon in the frenzied final stages of the race. However, the penalty saw him drop a position behind Albon, pushing him to the fifth position at the finish line.
Mercedes sprung into action promptly, seeking a review of the penalty. For this request to hold water, they need to present a significant and pertinent piece of new evidence that was unavailable during the time of the initial decision.
The incident has also implicated Nico Hulkenberg. As such, a representative from Stake has been summoned to the preliminary hearing, which will decide if the new evidence presented by Mercedes is valid or not. Should the stewards deem the new evidence as valid, a secondary hearing will be convened to reassess the penalty based on the newly presented evidence.
The controversy has added another layer of intrigue to the Australian Grand Prix, which saw Lando Norris clinch an extraordinary victory despite a late scare. The outcome of Mercedes’ review petition is eagerly awaited, and will undoubtedly have significant implications for the final standings of the Grand Prix.
