Wolff Apologizes to Tsunoda for Antonelli Pit Lane Crash

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has issued an apology to Yuki Tsunoda and RB after Kimi Antonelli's pit lane collision significantly damaged Tsunoda's car during FP3 in Abu Dhabi. The incident, which saw Antonelli's Mercedes collide with the RB21, prevented Tsunoda from completing his final crucial soft tire lap and is currently under investigation by the stewards.

Why it matters:

This pit lane incident not only disrupted Yuki Tsunoda's crucial final practice session, potentially impacting his qualifying performance, but also highlights ongoing concerns about pit lane safety and driver awareness. For Mercedes, it's an unfortunate error from their junior driver that could result in a grid penalty, adding pressure ahead of the final Grand Prix of the season.

The Details:

• The Incident: Towards the end of FP3 at Yas Marina, as Yuki Tsunoda was already proceeding down the pit lane, Kimi Antonelli pulled out of his garage, colliding with the right-hand side of Tsunoda's RB21.
• Damage: The collision caused significant damage to Tsunoda's car, specifically destroying its floor. This rendered him unable to complete his planned final soft tire flying lap, which is vital for qualifying preparation.
• Steward Investigation: Antonelli is currently under investigation by the stewards for the incident. A grid drop is considered likely given the severity of the collision and its direct impact on Tsunoda's session.
• Wolff's Apology: Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff publicly apologized, stating, "First of all, I am sorry for Yuki, because I think we damaged all of the good bits of his car. It was our mistake, and we just need to identify what happened."
• Session Context: Wolff acknowledged that Mercedes' FP3 started "grim" but noted George Russell managed a P1 lap. For Antonelli, the incident made the session "messy, obviously, but it is going to be okay."

What's next:

The stewards' decision regarding Kimi Antonelli's incident is imminent, with a grid penalty for Sunday's race a strong possibility. For RB, the focus will be on assessing and repairing the damage to Tsunoda's car ahead of qualifying, ensuring it doesn't compromise his performance. This incident serves as a reminder for all teams and drivers to maintain extreme caution in the confined pit lane environment, particularly during busy practice sessions.