Kimi Antonelli clears the air with Hadjar after sprint clash in China

Andrea Kimi Antonelli says the dispute with Isack Hadjar is now resolved after their heated exchange following the Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver triggered the incident on lap one, misjudging his braking into Turn 6 and hitting the Frenchman’s Red Bull, causing significant damage. Stewards handed Antonelli a ten‑second penalty, and the Italian immediately accepted responsibility, approaching Hadjar in parc fermé to apologise.

Hadjar, still furious in the moment, rejected the gesture and later questioned why Antonelli was “so overexcited with such a fast car.” Speaking after his Grand Prix victory, Antonelli explained that he sought Hadjar out again during the drivers’ parade, where the two finally settled the matter. He admitted the collision was entirely his fault and insisted there was no malice involved. According to Antonelli, Hadjar’s reaction was driven by adrenaline, and by the following day the situation had completely cooled.