Kimi Antonelli demands ‘review’ over how George Russell took pole for Austrian Grand Prix

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Kimi Antonelli has demanded a ‘review’ after George Russell took Austrian Grand Prix pole under hugely controversial circumstances. 

On Saturday, Russell secured pole position at the Red Bull Ring ahead of Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. In the closing stages of the session, with every driver doing their final flying laps, Max Verstappen crashed, bringing out yellow flags.

At that stage, Leclerc had provisional pole, and it looked like no one would be able to topple the Monegasque driver. However, Russell had other ideas as his name popped up at the top of the timing chart, with a stunning lap time of 1:06.113.

During the immediate aftermath of the session, there was confusion over whether Russell’s lap would stand, as he was noted for a potential yellow flag infringement. It was then confirmed that no further investigation would take place, meaning Russell’s pole position was safe and sound. 

George Russell scores pole for the Austrian Grand Prix 🇦🇹 But who surprised you the most during qualifying

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Kimi Antonelli says chaotic Austrian GP qualifying ‘needs to be reviewed’

Speaking after the session, Russell’s Mercedes teammate and title rival Antonelli stated that double yellow flags should have been brought out straight after Verstappen’s accident.

The 19-year-old felt that every driver on a flying lap following the incident should have to abort, just like he did. He went on to brand the whole situation as ‘a bit confusing’.

As reported by F1 journalist Thomas Maher, Antonelli said: “I think double yellows would have been enough, because you just need to abort the lap, but for sure it is something that needs to be reviewed,

“Especially when it happens in a high-speed corner. If it’s a slow speed, still single yellow can be okay, but fast corner, it should be double yellow straightaway.

“There was a car in the wall in a fast corner, so I think, in this situation, I don’t know why it didn’t go double yellow straight away because it’s a super quick corner, and if you go off at the same time, it can end up very badly. So a bit confusing, but it is what it is.” 

READ MORE: Toto Wolff explains why George Russell’s Austrian Grand Prix pole lap was ‘completely on’

In another interview, Antonelli admitted that he thought he had seen double waved yellow flags instead of single, something he said was a ‘mistake’.

Although the young Italian stated that he would not have beaten Russell’s time, his final flying lap was potentially good enough to beat Leclerc and Hamilton, which would have earned him a starting spot on the front row of the grid.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Antonelli said: “I don’t know why, but I thought it was a double yellow, so I aborted completely and missed the front row. I shouldn’t have done that. That was my mistake.

“It would have been very close with George. There was only a tenth between us. He would have been a little bit ahead, but still I would have been front row, so a shame for that.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix, it promises to be a nail-biting opening lap, with the Ferrari duo looking to get a big launch off the line and overtake Russell into Turn 1.

Meanwhile, four-time world champion Verstappen will be more fired up than ever after his crash in Q3 and will be a threat as the pack heads towards the first few corners.