Carlos Sainz collides with Kimi Antonelli: five-place grid penalty for F1 Mexico GP. Carlos Sainz caused a collision with Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the 2025 United States GP.

Incident overshadows Austin weekend

Carlos Sainz’s 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend, which had started positively with an impressive third-place finish in the Sprint race on Saturday, ended bitterly. On Sunday, the Spanish driver for Williams was involved in a collision that forced him to retire from the race and earned him a five-place grid penalty for the Mexico GP. The incident, occurring on lap six, also involved Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes #12 car.

The collision at turn 15

Carlos Sainz, running in eighth position behind Kimi Antonelli, attempted a risky overtaking maneuver at turn 15. However, he initiated the move too late to successfully complete the pass. The two cars made contact, forcing Carlos Sainz, the former Ferrari driver, to retire immediately. Antonelli was able to continue but had to restart from the last position, ultimately finishing no higher than P13.

Stewards’ reasoning for the penalty

According to the official FIA statement, Carlos Sainz suggested to the stewards that Kimi Antonelli should have anticipated his overtaking attempt and left space to avoid the collision. However, the stewards sided with Antonelli, noting that at no point before the apex did the front axle of Carlos Sainz’s car line up alongside or ahead of the Mercedes’ mirror. “Therefore, according to the guidelines […], car #55 did not have the right to space at the corner apex,” the officials concluded.