India, March 16 -- Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a sensational Formula 1 debut in Melbourne. The 18-year-old Mercedes driver started 16th on the grid, and was given a five-second penalty for an unsafe release in the pit lane. In reaction, Mercedes appealed the decision of the stewards, and it was overturned.

Antonelli, who has been slotted in as Lewis Hamilton's replacement, reached the finish line in a race filled with crashes.

His performance and Mercedes' successful appeal saw him retain his fourth-place finish as the penalty was overturned, and he finished one spot behind teammate George Russell. Russell finished on the podium, in third place.

Hailing the teenager's performance, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said, "He took it the ...