Penalties coming?
There was no shortage of shivers today in qualifying too Kimi Antonelli. If in Australia, in qualifying for the GP, the Italian had to drive without a dedicated setup after the accident in FP3, this time in qualifying for the Chinese Sprint the problem arrived in SQ2 for a alleged impediment against Lando Norris. The Mercedes driver in fact ‘blocked’ – involuntarily, but quite clearly – the reigning world champion’s McLaren in Turn 1 and was convened by the commissioners to explain the episode. The risk is that of a dropped three positions on the grid. Antonelli however, interviewed by Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, he said he was convinced he was not destined to receive any sanctions.
Antonelli’s version
“Impeding on Norris? In the end I would say no, because I was doing the preparation roundso he was warming the tires. We have already seen the data, he arrived almost 30km slower, so he wasn’t ready for the fastest lap. He was warming up the tyres, so I don’t think anything will happen“, said #12. The Bolognese then commented with some regrets the outcome of this first qualifying of the weekend: “I struggled a bit with understeer in qualifying and especially in Turn 1 I struggled to bring speed – admitted Antonelli – and then I made a mistake in the last sector and I lost a lot there. But tomorrow I’ll be on the front row and there’s everything to play for in the Sprint and then again in qualifying.”.
