Mercedes’ Antonelli spins out on debut practice

Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli spun out of his debut practice session at the Italian Grand Prix after just five laps at the wheel.

Antonelli, who is expected to be announced as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes next year, was driving George Russell’s car in the opening session at Monza.

He lost control of the car midway through the high-speed Parabolica corner, skittered across the gravel trap and slammed into the barrier.

The 18-year-old walked away from the car but was taken to the circuit’s medical centre for precautionary checks.

Antonelli has been fast-tracked through junior racing categories by Mercedes in the last two years and is racing in Formula 2.

He is expected to replace Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, when the seven-time world champion leaves for Ferrari.

Friday’s practice session was Antonelli’s first taste of a Formula One race weekend after completing a series of private tests in Mercedes F1 cars from 2021 and 2022 earlier this year.