Antonelli breaks down debated incident with Leclerc in unlucky Dutch GP

08:56, 03 Sep

Updated: 11:10, 03 Sep

byTobia Elia

Kimi Antonelli has taken responsibility for the incident at the Dutch Grand Prix that ended Charles Leclerc’s race, apologizing to the Monegasque for the mistake and stating that he will think twice before attempting similar maneuvers in the future.

A misjudgment that had significant consequences for both him and Charles Leclerc, but also showed great maturity off the track.

Aware of the mistake he made at the Dutch Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli took full responsibility for the incident, seizing the opportunity to also apologize publicly to the Monegasque.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Zandvoort

Antonelli 'feels sorry' for Leclerc

''I feel sorry to him. and next time probably I'll think twice probably before making the move and unless I'm 100 % sure that I'm going to stick it,'' the young Italian driver revealed while speaking to the media, including GPblog, after the race.

''It's a shame because pace was good, we were coming back in front and I knew that was probably the best chance I had to make the move because I was very close to him.''

''He had a colder tyre and just tried to move but it was a bit too much. When I saw he was coming back in front, I tried to let it go, but it was not enough.''

Antonelli admitted attempting a risky maneuver, aware of the limited overtaking opportunities that Zandvoort offers.

''I went for it because it's so difficult to overtake. The more laps you do in dirtier, the more it hurts your tire and your pace.''

''So I went for it and it was a bit too much. Now I'm just re-looking at it. I just tried at some point to let it go, but it was not enough.''

After the collision with Leclerc, Antonelli initially received a ten-second penalty to serve during his pit stop for causing the incident, followed by a second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.

Regarding this, Antonelli finally added: ''The speed limit is something I need to make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm not too sure when I did it, but I think probably was the first pit stop so I need to make sure that doesn't happen.''

''I think also the late safety car was unfortunate because I already had almost a 10 second gap from the guy behind and I think it would have been possible to finish P6 or P7.''

Due to the safety car in the final laps, Antonelli dropped down the order to sixteenth, finishing the race without points, while his teammate secured fourth place.