Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, was forced to retire during the first lap of the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday following a collision, RTL reports. The incident occurred in the third corner when Verstappen’s car was struck by Italian driver Kimi Antonelli, who races for Mercedes.
Starting from seventh position on the grid, Verstappen had moved up to sixth place before the crash ended his race prematurely. The early retirement marks a significant setback for Verstappen, who has previously won at the Red Bull Ring five times, including his last victory in 2023.
Last year’s Austrian Grand Prix was won by George Russell. Verstappen’s exit this year opens the field early in the race, impacting the championship dynamics.