Kimi Antonelli accidentally reversed an expensive Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé into a wooden fence during a promotional filming session ahead of the 2026 United States Grand Prix, leaving Mercedes teammate George Russell unable to contain his laughter. The Italian Formula 1 championship leader selected reverse instead of drive and struck the barrier, although the incident caused only minor damage to the wooden fence rather than the high-performance road car.
With the Formula 1 World Championship potentially within reach, Kimi Antonelli had an opportunity to enjoy some time away from the competitive pressures of the Austin race weekend. However, the 20-year-old was still carrying out promotional duties for Mercedes, joining George Russell for a filming session involving one of the German manufacturer’s most powerful production cars.
Kimi Antonelli reverses Mercedes-AMG GT into fence at Austin
During their stay in the United States, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell were involved in filming advertisements for the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, a high-performance electric road car from the Stuttgart manufacturer. Depending on its precise specification, the model was described as costing approximately €150,000 to €200,000.
However, the filming session took an unexpected turn when Kimi Antonelli made a simple driving mistake. Instead of selecting a forward gear, the Mercedes driver engaged reverse and moved backwards into a wooden fence.
George Russell was nearby in another example of the same model, finished in a different colour, and immediately noticed what had happened. The British driver burst out laughing and wasted little time pointing out to his teammate which direction he was supposed to be travelling.
Fortunately, the incident was far less serious than it might initially have appeared. Kimi Antonelli was moving at walking pace when the rear of the vehicle struck the wooden barrier, leaving the Mercedes apparently undamaged. Instead, a wooden slat came loose from the fence following the impact.
Kimi Antonelli also saw the funny side of the situation, laughing at his own mistake as George Russell continued to enjoy the unexpected moment.
George Russell cannot stop laughing at Kimi Antonelli’s mistake
George Russell struggled to contain his laughter after watching his Mercedes teammate reverse into the fence, although he also hoped the impact had not caused any significant damage. The incident provided an amusing contrast to the precision normally expected from two of Formula 1’s leading drivers.
After selecting the correct gear, Kimi Antonelli was finally able to move forwards and continue the demonstration, putting on a show for the cameras that were recording the promotional session.
The brief mishap was particularly amusing considering the extraordinary performance available from the vehicle. The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé features three electric motors capable of generating a combined 1,169 horsepower, making it the most powerful series-production car produced by the German manufacturer.
The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.1 seconds, while its maximum speed reaches 300 km/h. Its advanced electric powertrain is supported by a 106 kWh battery, providing a driving range of up to 700 kilometres.
Those are exceptional performance figures, even for a driver accustomed to controlling the immense acceleration and power of a modern Formula 1 car. Nevertheless, it was a low-speed manoeuvre rather than the vehicle’s extraordinary capabilities that caught Kimi Antonelli out during the filming session.
“Is the car OK?” Kimi Antonelli asked, surprised by what had happened, while George Russell continued laughing.
A lighter moment before Kimi Antonelli’s first Formula 1 title opportunity
The incident provided some welcome light relief for Kimi Antonelli at a particularly important stage of his Formula 1 career. At just 20 years old, the Italian has the opportunity to realise his dream of winning the World Championship after demonstrating his exceptional driving ability throughout the season in the Mercedes W17.
The United States Grand Prix represents Kimi Antonelli’s first mathematical opportunity to secure the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. To clinch the title at Austin, he needs to leave the race with a 125-point advantage over his closest challengers.
For now, though, the amusing exchange with George Russell offers a reminder that even a driver capable of competing for Formula 1’s biggest prize can occasionally make an everyday motoring mistake. This time, the consequences were limited to a loose wooden fence panel, a few laughs and an entertaining moment captured on camera.
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