Kimi Antonelli was one of seven drivers to escape punishment following a safety car investigation after Sunday’s dramatic Canadian Grand Prix. Antonelli claimed a podium spot for the first time in his Formula One career, having finished third at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

The Italian, as well as team-mate George Russell and Red Bull ace Max Verstappen, benefited off a rare bad day at the office from McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The two championship frontrunners had placed fourth and fifth heading into the final few laps, only for Norris to collide with Piastri, forcing the Brit out of the race.

By contrast, it proved a wonderful day’s work for Mercedes, with Russell converting pole position into his first win of the season, along with Antonelli’s maiden podium position. However, there was a concern surrounding the result when the 18-year-old was flagged for investigation after the race finished.

The young Italian, along with Piastri, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll, had been placed under investigation for overtaking when a safety car warning was being displayed. The infringements occurred following the chequered flag, with all seven at-risk drivers handed a warning.

Speaking post-race though, Antonelli revealed it was a struggle in the final few laps to keep hold of P3, admitting: “It meant a lot, especially after a difficult triple-header on my side. It definitely took some confidence away, but this was the best way to bounce back.

“I was just hoping for the race to finish, to be honest. I was even looking at the screen, counting the laps because it was very stressful. The last few laps were a struggle, especially seeing Oscar getting closer and closer in the DRS range. At one point, he even tried to attempt the overtake in Turn 1. It took a lot of effort.”

Elsewhere, Mercedes hearts would’ve been in mouths after Red Bull lodged two protests against Russell’s victory. The constructor alleged he drove erratically in front of Verstappen during a safety car period, while also claiming Russell committed ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ by complaining over the radio that Verstappen had overtaken him.

Both protests were waved away, with a confirmation from the stewards reading: In a document confirming the decision, the stewards said: “We accept the driver of Car 63’s [Russell’s] explanation of the incident and we are satisfied that the driver of Car 63 did not drive erratically by braking where he did or to the extent he did. We are not satisfied that by simply reporting to his team that Car 1 [Verstappen] had overtaken that he engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct. Even though the protest did not allege it, we are also satisfied that by braking where and when he did and to the extent he did, the driver of Car 63 did not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct.”

The drivers will now enjoy a week’s break before resuming action in Austria at the end of June.