Red Bull have issued a statement expressing “sincere regret” for remarks made during and after the Qatar Grand Prix that contributed to Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli receiving a wave of online abuse, including death threats.
The controversy began when Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, suggested over team radio that Antonelli had “just pulled over and let Norris through” during the penultimate lap. The claim circulated rapidly online, prompting a barrage of hostile messages directed at the young Italian driver.
Mercedes later confirmed that the abuse included multiple death threats. Antonelli, who had finished the race visibly shaken, changed his Instagram profile picture to black on Monday morning, a sign of distress that drew widespread concern from fans and fellow drivers.
Replay footage from the race, however, contradicts the original accusation. Antonelli had run wide at Turn 10 after a brief loss of control, allowing Lando Norris to slip past and claim fourth place. That small shift in position granted Norris two extra championship points.
Those points have proven crucial as the season heads into its dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi. Norris now leads Verstappen by 12 points rather than 10, with three drivers — Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri — still mathematically in contention for the world title.
In their Monday statement, Red Bull acknowledged that the earlier comments were “clearly incorrect.” The team added that they “sincerely regret” the fallout, emphasising that Antonelli’s mistake had been momentary and unintentional.
“The suggestion that Kimi Antonelli deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him is false,” the statement read. “Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car. We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi receiving online abuse.”
However, Red Bull stopped short of issuing a direct apology to Antonelli or Mercedes — a detail that has not gone unnoticed within the paddock.
A Mercedes spokesperson said that Lambiase privately apologised to Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, after Wolff confronted him post-race. Mercedes have welcomed the clarification but expressed frustration that the original comments spread so widely before being corrected.
The incident has once again highlighted the increasingly toxic environment surrounding F1 drivers on social media. Abuse has escalated in recent seasons, prompting calls from teams, drivers, and the FIA for stronger safeguards and more responsible communication from influential figures within the sport.
Mercedes issued a statement condemning the threats, calling them “utterly unacceptable” and urging fans to refrain from directing hate at any driver. “The sport is passionate, but no level of passion justifies personal attacks or threats,” the team said.
As the paddock shifts its attention to Abu Dhabi for the decisive final race, tensions remain high. Teams are aware that scrutiny over comments made during pressure-filled moments can quickly spiral, affecting not only competition but driver wellbeing.
The controversy underscores the delicate balance between competitive intensity and responsible communication in modern Formula 1. With the title fight closer than ever, teams are bracing for an emotionally charged weekend — one in which the sport will be hoping to move past the turmoil stirred in Qatar.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members