Kimi Antonelli explains Hadjar snub at Chinese GP: 'We know how he is sometimes’
Photo: Race Pictures
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Kimi Antonelli says he has cleared the air with fellow youngster Isack Hadjar, after the Red Bull driver refused his apology following a collision in the Chinese GP Sprint.
After a slow start to the Sprint Race, Antonelli made contact with Hadjar at Turn Six, the Italian caused damage to the RB22 and received a 10-second penalty for the incident, but that was seemingly not enough for Hadjar.
The Red Bull debutant was approached by Antonelli after the race, but waved away his apologies while sat in the cockpit in Parc Ferme, and voiced his frustrations during the post-sprint media sessions.
Hadjar just 'in the heat of the moment,' says Antonelli
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After the Grand Prix, which saw Antonelli take home his maiden F1 win, the 19-year-old revealed he spoke with Hadjar prior to the race, and that the situation between the pair "was all fine again."
"Yeah, I did today in the drivers’ parade and it’s all good," Antonelli said.
"Of course, yesterday it was definitely my mistake because I ran into him, of course not on purpose, and I damaged his race. So, I take my responsibility and after the race of course I went to apologise."
Antonelli was clearly understanding of Hadjar's frustration after the race, and downplayed the Parc Ferme snub.
"He was in the heat of the moment. We know how Isack is sometimes, especially in the heat of the moment, so I wasn’t too bothered by it because today it was all fine again."
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Wolff keen to avoid 'Hamilton-Rosberg' feud amid 2026 domination
Following his first-ever Grand Prix win in Shanghai, Antonelli is four points off title favourite George Russell, with many now wondering whether the 19-year-old can challenge his more seasoned teammate for the 2026 title.
An intra-Mercedes fight for the Drivers' title will not doubt evoke memories of the tense battle between friends-turned-enemies Hamilton and Rosberg, but Wolff is confident the dynamic between his two Mercedes juniors is "totally different."
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