Motor racing-Mercedes driver Antonelli wrecks car in final practice

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 6, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli during practice REUTERS/Mark Peterson

MELBOURNE, March ⁠7 (Reuters) - Mercedes driver ⁠Kimi Antonelli had a ‌heavy crash in the final free practice session before qualifying ​at the Australian ⁠Grand Prix ⁠on Saturday, wrecking his car ⁠and ‌leaving debris scattered over the ⁠Albert Park track.

Antonelli locked up ​at ‌turn two and skidded ⁠hard ​into a barrier late in the session, leaving ⁠a front wheel ​bouncing away from the crash and team boss Toto ⁠Wolff wincing in the team garage.

The 19-year-old Italian said "I'm OK" over the ​team radio ⁠as a red flag ​halted the ‌session.

(Reporting by Ian ​Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)