Toto Wolff Apologizes to Red Bull After Costly Abu Dhabi FP3 Error

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has issued an apology to Red Bull following a pitlane collision between rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Yuki Tsunoda during FP3 in Abu Dhabi. The incident saw Antonelli, released from the Mercedes garage, collide with Tsunoda's RB21, causing damage and triggering a stewards' investigation into an unsafe release by Mercedes.

Why it matters:

This pitlane mishap for Mercedes comes at a crucial point in the season finale, potentially affecting both teams' preparations for qualifying and the race. An unsafe release investigation adds pressure on Mercedes, while Red Bull faces unexpected repairs to Tsunoda's car, which could impact his performance. Such incidents, even in practice, highlight the intense operational demands of F1.

The Details:

• The Incident: During FP3, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli was released from the Mercedes garage, he veered into the side of Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull, causing significant damage to the RB21's side.
• Wolff's Apology: Toto Wolff immediately took responsibility, stating, "First of all, I'm sorry for Yuki, because I think we damaged all of the good bits of his car. Was our mistake. We need to identify what happened."
• Stewards' Investigation: Mercedes is currently under investigation for an unsafe release, which is a serious breach of regulations that can result in grid penalties or fines.
• Other Investigations: The stewards are busy, also investigating Williams for an unsafe release involving Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon, and Yuki Tsunoda himself for potentially impeding Lando Norris.
• FP3 Performance: Despite the pitlane incident, George Russell topped the FP3 session, with Antonelli securing the ninth-fastest time. However, Wolff remained cautious about their qualifying prospects, suggesting their single-lap pace might not translate to long-run competitiveness.

What's next:

Qualifying at the Yas Marina Circuit is scheduled for 6 pm local time. The outcomes of the stewards' investigations, particularly for Mercedes, will be keenly watched as potential penalties could significantly affect their starting positions. Wolff hopes Mercedes can "play in the front" and "feature a bit" in the race, despite his skepticism about their long-run pace. The pressure is on for Mercedes to convert their FP3 pace into a strong qualifying performance, while Red Bull will be working to repair Tsunoda's car to ensure he is fully competitive.