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Mercedes Says Brake Release Caused Antonelli’s Las Vegas Jump-Start Penalty

The team is seeking FIA clarification after analysis indicated a two-centimetre creep with the clutch fully pulled.

Overview

  • Stewards handed Andrea Kimi Antonelli a five-second jump-start penalty after sensors detected forward movement before the lights went out.
  • Mercedes’ video and telemetry show about 20 millimetres of very slow roll as he lifted off the brake, with no clutch release.
  • Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin says vibration or driveline torque likely contributed to the subtle creep.
  • Starting 17th, Antonelli was ultimately classified third after an early stop under a Virtual Safety Car and a 48-lap stint on hard tyres.
  • Mercedes says it will refine procedures and has asked the FIA to explain the ruling and the sensitivity of its detection systems.