Peter Bonnington Slams 'Complete BS' FIA Penalty for Antonelli at Vegas GP
Peter Bonnington, Mercedes' head of race engineering, controversially labeled the FIA's five-second penalty against Andrea Kimi Antonelli for a false start at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as "complete BS" during untelevised team radio. Antonelli, praised by Toto Wolff and even Max Verstappen for his "mega pace," recovered from 17th to an eventual third place, further fueling debate on officiating consistency in F1.
Untelevised Mercedes team radio from the Las Vegas Grand Prix revealed Peter Bonnington, Lewis Hamilton's long-time race engineer and now head of race engineering, describing Andrea Kimi Antonelli's five-second false start penalty as "complete BS." Antonelli, who recovered from P17 to an initial P5 (later P3 due to disqualifications), was praised by Bonnington and Toto Wolff for his exceptional pace despite the controversial ruling.
Why it matters:
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between teams and the FIA over race control decisions, especially concerning young talents like Antonelli. A prominent figure like Bonnington, known for his calm demeanor, publicly criticizing a ruling underscores the frustration felt within the Mercedes camp. Such remarks can influence perceptions of fairness and consistency in F1 officiating, potentially impacting driver morale and team strategy in future races.
The Details:
- The Incident: Andrea Kimi Antonelli received a five-second penalty for a false start at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Replays showed his car moving marginally before the lights went out.
- Bonnington's Reaction: On untelevised team radio, Peter Bonnington, Antonelli's race engineer, exclaimed, "Mate, that's P5 after a five-second penalty, which was complete BS." This came after congratulating Antonelli on his strong recovery drive.
- Antonelli's Performance: Despite starting P17, Antonelli managed a remarkable recovery. He pitted under a virtual safety car on Lap 2 and made a set of hard tires last for the final 48 laps, initially finishing P5. This was later promoted to P3 after Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were disqualified.
- Toto Wolff's Support: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff echoed the sentiment, praising Antonelli's "pace from another planet" and wondering what he could have achieved without the penalty, noting he finished just seven seconds behind teammate George Russell.
- Verstappen's Surprise: Even Max Verstappen, the race winner, expressed surprise at Antonelli's P3 finish when informed in parc ferme, highlighting the rookie's impressive drive.
What's next:
While the penalty decision is final, the outspoken criticism from Mercedes' key personnel could fuel further discussions around officiating consistency in F1. For Antonelli, this performance, coupled with the debate surrounding the penalty, further solidifies his reputation as a formidable talent on the grid. His ongoing development will be closely watched, especially given the high praise from within Mercedes and even rival drivers.