Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Motorsport

Kimi Antonelli suffers heartbreak on F1 Imola GP debut

F1 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli was forced to retire from his first F1 race around his home circuit after his Mercedes had a throttle failure.

The Italian pulled to he side on lap 46 when he was running in eighth place, having made up from 13th on the grid.

Antonelli, who has otherwise impressed this season, also admitted he was overcome by the occasion of competing in his home race for the first time in F1.

He said: "After two or three laps [after the VSC], I started to have the issue with the throttle... then unfortunately it went off completely."

He later added: “I was losing power, and sometimes the sensor was going crazy, so it's a shame but these are things that can happen, and for sure without the problem, the pace would have been much better.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

“But I need to still work on my driving, to see where I can improve, and also to improve the race pace, especially with the hot temperature, because I think when it's cold, the pace is really good, it's much better, and also for me it's much easier to manage the tyre, and I need to still work on it when it's hot.”

Antonelli has been mobbed by well-wishers this weekend, as the Italian fans welcomed their countryman to F1.

However, the 18-year-old, who grew up in nearby Bologna, admits that he was overwhelmed by all the attention on him.

He added: “It probably was the worst [weekend] in terms of performance. I’ll try to recover well and be back stronger in Monaco.

“I mean, I absolutely love the support of the fans. I just think on my side I didn't manage the energy that well, and that compromised definitely the performance on track. But it was a really good lesson, because I could feel it.

“I was not as relaxed, I was a bit more tense while driving. So, you know, ahead of the next home race, it was a really good lesson.

“Of course, the pace is still not where we want, but overall, the most positive thing was the support from the fans. I think that was incredible. I could really feel the support, despite the difficult moments.”

Photos from Imola GP - Race

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Alexandra Saint Mleux and Leo Leclerc

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Simone Susinna

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Thierry Boutsen drives his Arrows A8 for the F1 car presentation

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Fans

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Valentino Rossi poses for a photo

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday

Formula 1

70

In this article

Ben Hunt

Formula 1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

Japan Farm Minister Resigns Over Free Rice Gaffe

Japan Farm Minister Resigns Over Free Rice Gaffe

Japan's farm minister resigned Wednesday after a gaffe about rice drew public fury in a country experiencing soaring prices of the cherished staple.

International Business Times

Measles cases have now spread to 30 states

Measles cases have now spread to 30 states

The Centers for Disease Control has reported in an update that a total of 1,024 cases of the disease across the U.S. and 14 outbreaks had been reported since the beginning of the year

The Independent UK

Ships have been hitting the Brooklyn Bridge for nearly 150 years

Ships have been hitting the Brooklyn Bridge for nearly 150 years

A Mexican navy tall ship’s fatal collision with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday highlighted a hazard that has worried seafarers for nearly 150 years

The Independent UK

New Jersey congresswoman LaMonica McIver charged with assault after clash at detention center

New Jersey congresswoman LaMonica McIver charged with assault after clash at detention center

‘No one is above the law – politicians or otherwise,’ interim US attorney Alina Habba said.

The Guardian - US

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free

Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free

Taku Etō’s remarks drew fury as cost of rice has nearly doubled in a year amid soaring food prices

The Guardian - AU

Trump news at a glance: president unveils Golden Dome project – and claims Canada is interested

Trump news at a glance: president unveils Golden Dome project – and claims Canada is interested

Donald Trump picks space force general to lead program to create anti-missile shield – key US politics stories from Tuesday at a glance

The Guardian - US

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Japan Farm Minister Resigns Over Free Rice Gaffe

Japan Farm Minister Resigns Over Free Rice Gaffe

Japan's farm minister resigned Wednesday after a gaffe about rice drew public fury in a country experiencing soaring prices of the cherished staple.

International Business Times

Measles cases have now spread to 30 states

Measles cases have now spread to 30 states

The Centers for Disease Control has reported in an update that a total of 1,024 cases of the disease across the U.S. and 14 outbreaks had been reported since the beginning of the year

The Independent UK

Ships have been hitting the Brooklyn Bridge for nearly 150 years

Ships have been hitting the Brooklyn Bridge for nearly 150 years

A Mexican navy tall ship’s fatal collision with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday highlighted a hazard that has worried seafarers for nearly 150 years

The Independent UK

New Jersey congresswoman LaMonica McIver charged with assault after clash at detention center

New Jersey congresswoman LaMonica McIver charged with assault after clash at detention center

‘No one is above the law – politicians or otherwise,’ interim US attorney Alina Habba said.

The Guardian - US

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free

Japanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free

Taku Etō’s remarks drew fury as cost of rice has nearly doubled in a year amid soaring food prices

The Guardian - AU

Trump news at a glance: president unveils Golden Dome project – and claims Canada is interested

Trump news at a glance: president unveils Golden Dome project – and claims Canada is interested

Donald Trump picks space force general to lead program to create anti-missile shield – key US politics stories from Tuesday at a glance

The Guardian - US

Our Picks

Neil Young latest rocker to speak up for Springsteen against Trump: ‘Think about cleaning up the mess you made’

In a post on his website, the Heart of Gold singer said he and others in the industry were ‘not scared’ of the president

The Independent UK

New Marvel leak might have revealed Spider-Man: Brand New Day villains – and there could be three of them

A Marvel fan has seemingly revealed which Spider-Man villains will appear in Tom Holland's next MCU outing.

“When asked about his family, Jim would often explain that his parents – still very much alive – were dead”: How The Doors’ Jim Morrison went from from drunken teen rebel to leather-clad 60s rock god

Drunkenness, arrests, ambition – Jim Morrison’s wayward childhood paved the way for the future

Jennifer Lopez Swaps Her Blush Feathered Look for an Ivory Gown With a Built-In Necklace

Her range should truly be studied.

Jennifer Lawrence Reveals Bizarre Way She and Robert Pattinson Prepared for Sex Scenes

Jennifer Lawrence Reveals Bizarre Way She and Robert Pattinson Prepared for Sex Scenes

Trump's sweet tooth: He eats a 'good amount' of candy and likes pink Starbursts and Tootsie Rolls

President Donald Trump has a sweet tooth

The Independent UK

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play