Mercedes Fined €10,000 After Pit Lane Collision with Tsunoda in Abu Dhabi FP3

Mercedes has been fined €10,000 by the FIA following a pit lane collision involving Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull during FP3 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The incident, which saw Antonelli released into the path of Tsunoda, resulted in damage to both cars and prompted an investigation by the stewards. Mercedes acknowledged being in a "bit of a rush" to get Antonelli back on track after a red flag interruption.

Why it matters:

• Pit lane safety and adherence to protocols are paramount in Formula 1, especially during hectic practice sessions. Incidents like this highlight the pressure teams face and the potential for costly errors.
• The fine serves as a reminder to all teams of the strict regulations governing pit lane procedures, ensuring driver and mechanic safety, and maintaining fair competition.
• Damage incurred in practice can compromise a team's preparation for qualifying and the race, potentially impacting performance and strategy for the rest of the weekend.

The Details:

• The collision occurred in the closing minutes of FP3 when Antonelli, released by Mercedes, made contact with Tsunoda's Red Bull as it was proceeding down the fast lane.
• Tsunoda's car sustained damage to the floor and bargeboard area, while Antonelli's front wing endplate was also damaged.
• The FIA launched an investigation, summoning Antonelli, Tsunoda, and team representatives from both Mercedes and Red Bull.
• Mercedes conceded that the team was in a "bit of a rush" due to a prior red flag, which had interrupted the session after Lewis Hamilton's car crashed.
• The stewards' verdict stated that no fault was attributed to the driver, as he was following team instructions.
• The €10,000 fine imposed on Mercedes is consistent with a similar penalty issued to Ferrari for a pit lane collision involving Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix earlier in the season.

Between the lines:

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff publicly apologized to Yuki Tsunoda for the incident, acknowledging the team's mistake and the damage caused to Tsunoda's car. This quick admission of fault is characteristic of F1 team leadership when facing clear operational errors.

What's next:

While the financial penalty is relatively minor in F1 terms, the incident underscores the intense pressure on pit crews and strategists, even in practice sessions. Teams will continue to review and refine their pit stop and pit lane release protocols to prevent similar occurrences, especially as the season concludes and new regulations loom in the future.