Red Bull regrets remarks after Qatar GP that sparked threats to Antonelli
Red Bull says their comments around a late Qatar Grand Prix moment were mistaken as Kimi Antonelli faced online threats, with Norris closing the title gap.
In the wake of the Qatar Grand Prix, Red Bull issued a statement expressing sincere regret for comments that were publicly made about a late-race moment. The remarks coincided with Kimi Antonelli receiving hurtful messages online, prompting him to change his Instagram profile picture to black as a sign of distress.
The on-track moment came when Lando Norris overtook Antonelli after the Italian briefly lost pace at Turn 10, allowing Norris to move up the order. The result gave Norris two extra points and narrowed the gap to Verstappen in the championship race, ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Red Bull statement clarified that suggestions Antonelli had deliberately let Norris pass were incorrect. The team noted that replay footage showed Antonelli momentarily losing control, which allowed Norris to pass him.
"We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi receiving online abuse," the statement added, while stopping short of apologising for the original accusation of intentionality.
Meanwhile, a Mercedes spokesperson said that Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase had apologised to Toto Wolff after the race for his remarks. Wolff later described the online abuse as brainless and emphasised that the team was focused on securing a solid finish in the constructors’ standings and supporting Antonelli in his battle for a potential podium.
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Team representative Bradley Lord said Lambiase had offered the apology after reviewing the video of the incident. Mercedes also reported a 1,100% increase in online abuse during race weekends, a figure the team described as unacceptable.
Antonelli, who is managed to keep his social channels moderated, explained that he was fighting hard to close the gap with Carlos Sainz, who was in third place ahead of him. He said heavy dirty air and overheating tires made it difficult, and that a late opportunity to pass went wrong after a rapid entry into Turn Nine.
He added that he would review the sequence to understand what changed and whether his approach differed from previous attempts, noting that losing the position cost him two points in the standings.
Expert comment: Analysts say online harassment around high-profile sports moments has surged, underscoring the need for careful, responsible communication from teams and drivers. This incident highlights how quickly online backlash can escalate, even when the on-track facts are complex.
Summary: The Qatar GP episode led Red Bull to apologise for their remarks, while emphasising that Antonelli did not intentionally let Norris through. Norris gained two points and narrowed Verstappen’s lead ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes reported apologies from its team and condemned the abuse, urging a more respectful discourse around the sport.
Social media abuse around race incidents can derail conversations and distract from competition; responsible communication matters. BBC Sport