Carlos Sainz Tells Kimi Antonelli to 'Calm Down' After Radio Insult in F1 Belgian GP Practice

Carlos Sainz was left unimpressed with Kimi Antonelli's radio comment after an incident in Belgian Grand Prix practice. On Friday, tensions flared in opening practice at Spa-Francorchamps after a close moment between Antonelli and Sainz on the run through Blanchimont as they squabbled over track position.

What happened?

A close moment between Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli on the run through Blanchimont in Belgian Grand Prix practice led to a heated exchange between the two drivers. Antonelli branded Sainz an 'idiot' over team radio after the near-miss between the pair.

Why it matters for Carlos Sainz

Sainz responded to Antonelli's radio comment, telling the Mercedes driver to 'calm down' after being branded an 'idiot'. Sainz explained that he didn't feel like he impeded Antonelli and that the Italian teenager should have been more careful on the track.

What comes next?

The incident between Sainz and Antonelli has raised questions about the level of respect between drivers on the track. Sainz ended Friday practice 16th-fastest, behind Williams team-mate Alex Albon who took 15th. Antonelli heads into the Belgian Grand Prix weekend holding a 25-point championship lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

Sainz made it clear that he was unimpressed with Antonelli's insult over team radio. "I think he felt like I impeded him - I don't feel like I did," Sainz said after practice. "I guess nowadays with the SM [Straight Mode], if you don't get out of the way exactly like [the other driver wants]- you cannot turn because you have no downforce with the wings open.

"Maybe he felt like I could have got out of the way in a better way. But I don't think he should call me an idiot either, on the radio, I think that's forbidden, to swear and insult a rival - so I think he should calm down a bit."

Antonelli explained his reaction, which he admitted was "not the best" in the "heat of the moment, after topping second practice. "I mean, he backed off out of a fast corner, you exit in seventh gear, and I had to abort and it was quite risky," the Italian teenager said.

"So of course I was not happy with it and of course what I said probably, in the heat of the moment, is not the best - but it was quite dangerous."

The incident between Sainz and Antonelli has raised questions about the level of respect between drivers on the track. As the Belgian Grand Prix weekend gets underway, it remains to be seen how the two drivers will interact with each other.

The Belgian Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday, with Sainz and Antonelli looking to make a strong impression on the track. With the championship lead at stake, the tension between the two drivers is likely to be high.

Sainz ended Friday practice 16th-fastest, behind Williams team-mate Alex Albon who took 15th. Antonelli heads into the Belgian Grand Prix weekend holding a 25-point championship lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

The incident between Sainz and Antonelli has raised questions about the level of respect between drivers on the track. As the Belgian Grand Prix weekend gets underway, it remains to be seen how the two drivers will interact with each other.

category: player_focus