Kimi Antonelli suffered a huge crash in final practice for the Australian Grand Prix, but his teammate George Russell led the session with an incredible lap, revealing Mercedes’ pace.
Just as Mercedes tried to unleash the pace that many thought (later confirmed by Russell), Antonelli lost control of his car in Turn 2 and crashed into the barrier at high speed.
The 19-year-old quickly escaped from his crashed car and was checked out by doctors before making a safe recovery, but his participation in the first qualifying session of the season remains in doubt due to the severity of his injuries.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Anthony Davidson analyzes Kimi Antonelli’s crash in P3 of the Australian Grand Prix.
However, Mercedes did a great job of repairing the car and, with the help of a red flag from Max Verstappen’s Q1 exit, they were able to get Antonelli on track for the second half of the session.
There were mixed emotions at Mercedes during final practice as Russell led the session with a stunning lap time of 1 minute 19.053 seconds, six tenths clear of second-placed Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
GEORGE Russell expressed creepy intentions towards his rivals as the Mercedes driver set the fastest time in final practice around Melbourne Park.
Hamilton and third-placed Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc appear to be Mercedes’ most likely challengers for pole after finishing ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen was behind new Red Bull teammate Izak Hajjar in sixth place and complained over the radio about a problem with his car.
“The crash could affect Antonelli all year round”
Sky Sports’ F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz warned that the accident could have a major impact on Antonelli’s 2026 campaign.
He said: “There’s no good time to crash, but we know that in F1 the worst time you can crash during practice is the last 10 minutes of practice three going into the qualifying session.
“It was playing out like an episode of Drive to Survive in the garage. Kimi was there and Toto was reacting with a stiff face. Kimi didn’t go to Toto for a while and was with engineer Peter Bonnington trying to understand what was going on.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Antonelli crashed on his practice debut for Mercedes at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix.
“We are waiting to see what the rest of the weekend will mean for Kimi Antonelli and possibly the rest of the year.
“Remember how much his accident at Monza in 2024, in his first free practice session before he became a full-fledged F1 driver, affected him throughout last season.
“Hopefully he can move on soon.”
Sky Sports F1 Australian GP Schedule
Saturday, March 7th
5am: Australian Grand Prix Qualifying*
7am: Ted’s Qualification Notebook*
9:45pm: F3 Feature Race*
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Grammy-nominated Tate McRae’s ‘Just Keep Watching’ will be the new title track of Sky Sports’ F1 coverage from this season onwards as F1 enters a new era
Sunday, March 8th
12:20am: F2 Feature Race*
2:30am: Preparation for Australian Grand Prix: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: Australian Grand Prix*
6am: Australian Grand Prix reaction: Checkered flag*
7am: Ted’s Notes*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP Highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix this Sunday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
