Max Verstappen has been forced to withdraw from the Austrian Grand Prix in a major blow to his hopes of winning the F1 Drivers' Championship.
Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli, 18, collided with the Dutchman in the early stages of the race.
The Italian broke late into Turn 3 and smashed into the side of Verstappen's car.
With the Red Bull star unable to continue the day's race, the Safety Car was deployed. Verstappen, barely unable to contain his rage, fumed: "I'm out, I got hit like crazy. F*****g idiots."
Max Verstappen has been forced to withdraw from the Austrian Grand Prix in a major blow to his hopes of winning the F1 Drivers' Championship
SKY
Antonelli, for his part, was apologetic.
The Mercedes star, who was seen talking with Verstappen after the dramatic incident, said: 'Sorry about that, I locked the rear."
Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok has since reacted and suggested Antonelli's lack of experience was probably a factor.
He said: "Could you put it down as a rookie error? I'm not sure Max Verstappen will take that as any consolation."
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The incident took place after Carlos Sainz Jr was also forced out of the proceedings.
The Williams star's day was over before it even started when, initially, he was unable to get going.
Then, dramatically, his car burst into flames with F1 chiefs forced to use fire extinguishers to put it out.
Sainz Jr cut a dejected figure as he watched on, with the former Ferrari star poised to lose valuable points as a result.
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Antonelli 💥 Verstappen: Here's the incident 🎥#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/hWuRLjZoxP
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2025
Verstappen is likely to be aggrieved, with the 27-year-old already trailing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the race for the F1 title.
The Red Bull star admitted before the race that he was 'p****d off' at relentlessly having to answer questions about his Formula One points.
Verstappen, when asked about his penalty points, said: "You're joking... Is this like a trap?
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"I'm getting this question every single time, every weekend. Sorry, this is the last one. I have nothing to add."
Verstappen has been linked with a move away from Red Bull over the past 18 months.
But Christian Horner, speaking before the race, expressed a belief that his star driver would stay despite links to Mercedes and Aston Martin.
Max Verstappen cut a dejected figure after being forced to withdraw from the Austrian Grand Prix
REUTERS
Horner said: "It is a lot of noise. I think Max gets quite annoyed by it.
"We are very clear with the contract that we have with Max until 2028.
"So, anything is entirely speculative that is being said, but we tend not to pay too much attention to it."
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