Mercedes: Stewards reach verdict on Kimi Antonelli’s “air cooler” incident in Melbourne qualifying. Kimi Antonelli escapes penalty after a pit lane error in the 2026 Australian GP.

An incredible incident unfolded during the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, but in the end, Kimi Antonelli was not penalized following a team error during a hectic weekend session. The mechanics sent the car out with a component still attached: the radiator cooling device, commonly known as an aerator.

Aerator left on Antonelli’s car creates danger on track

The device, normally used in the garage to cool the car’s radiators while stationary, remained attached as Antonelli was released into the pit lane. This oversight immediately created a potentially very dangerous situation on track.

After leaving the pits, Antonelli had only traveled a few meters when the problem became apparent. By the time he reached Turn 1, the aerator detached from the car and landed directly on the asphalt.

Lando Norris hits the debris, race briefly suspended

The device lay in the racing line as cars approached at high speed. Shortly after, Lando Norris’ McLaren struck the aerator with one of his tires. The impact caused minor damage to Norris’ car while completely destroying the component, scattering debris across the track. Norris’ front wing also showed signs of damage from the incident.

The presence of debris forced race control to act immediately. The stewards displayed the red flag to allow track marshals to safely remove the fragments. This temporary suspension was necessary to restore track safety following the aerator’s breakage.

No penalty for Kimi Antonelli, fine for Mercedes

After reviewing the incident, the race stewards decided not to issue a penalty to Antonelli. Instead, Mercedes was fined €7,500 for the oversight. Despite the potential risk, Antonelli was allowed to continue the race without further consequences.

Safety first in the Australian GP

The episode highlights how even minor errors in the garage can create serious hazards on track. While the red flag ensured driver safety, the stewards’ decision reflected the team’s procedural mistake rather than negligence by Antonelli, allowing him to continue competing in the 2026 Australian GP.