🔗 Share this article Red Bull Voices Remorse Over Comments Following Online Abuse Against Driver Kimi Antonelli Max Verstappen's victory in Qatar sets up a dramatic championship decider. The Red Bull Formula 1 team has released a comment stating its sincere regret for post-race remarks that were followed by a torrent of social media vitriol, including death threats, directed at young talent Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli was said to have switched his social media picture to a solid black image on Monday, a response to the abusive comments that appeared on his accounts. Mercedes confirmed that a number of these communications constituted direct threats against the driver's life. The controversy stems from radio communications during the closing stages of the recent race. Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase suggested over the air that it "appeared as if" Antonelli had "deliberately moved aside" to let McLaren's Lando Norris to pass. This occurrence proved crucial for the title fight, as the overtake secured extra points. This extended the Briton's championship lead over Verstappen to 12 points ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. In its statement, Red Bull clarified: "Observations voiced suggesting that Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris past are clearly incorrect. Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car, thereby enabling Norris to pass him. We deeply regret that this has led to Kimi being subjected to such abuse." The team's statement did not include a formal apology for the initial accusation. However, reports indicate that Lambiase later said sorry to Mercedes team principal after being shown footage of the on-track moment. "This is total, utter nonsense. That blows my mind even to hear that," said Wolff. "We are battling for second place in the constructors' championship... How brainless can you be to even say something like this?" Wolff explained that he had cleared the air with Lambiase, who claimed he had not seen the actual incident when he spoke over the radio. Mercedes noted a "massive surge" in abusive messages targeting Antonelli following the race. Kimi Antonelli finished fifth at the challenging Qatar Grand Prix. For his part, Antonelli described the moment as a error. He commented he was pushing hard to catch the Williams ahead and had a "big snap" that caused him to run wide and lose the position. "It proved really hard with the turbulence and the high tyre temperatures," Antonelli remarked. "It's disappointing to lose the place because it would have been additional points." Main Takeaways from the Situation Red Bull has voiced remorse for comments made by a staff member. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli received death threats in the aftermath of those comments. The controversial remark involved an on-track pass that affected the title battle. Video evidence show Antonelli lost control, contradicting the suggestion of deliberate action. The engineer involved has expressed regret to Mercedes management.
Max Verstappen's victory in Qatar sets up a dramatic championship decider. The Red Bull Formula 1 team has released a comment stating its sincere regret for post-race remarks that were followed by a torrent of social media vitriol, including death threats, directed at young talent Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli was said to have switched his social media picture to a solid black image on Monday, a response to the abusive comments that appeared on his accounts. Mercedes confirmed that a number of these communications constituted direct threats against the driver's life. The controversy stems from radio communications during the closing stages of the recent race. Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase suggested over the air that it "appeared as if" Antonelli had "deliberately moved aside" to let McLaren's Lando Norris to pass. This occurrence proved crucial for the title fight, as the overtake secured extra points. This extended the Briton's championship lead over Verstappen to 12 points ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. In its statement, Red Bull clarified: "Observations voiced suggesting that Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris past are clearly incorrect. Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car, thereby enabling Norris to pass him. We deeply regret that this has led to Kimi being subjected to such abuse." The team's statement did not include a formal apology for the initial accusation. However, reports indicate that Lambiase later said sorry to Mercedes team principal after being shown footage of the on-track moment. "This is total, utter nonsense. That blows my mind even to hear that," said Wolff. "We are battling for second place in the constructors' championship... How brainless can you be to even say something like this?" Wolff explained that he had cleared the air with Lambiase, who claimed he had not seen the actual incident when he spoke over the radio. Mercedes noted a "massive surge" in abusive messages targeting Antonelli following the race. Kimi Antonelli finished fifth at the challenging Qatar Grand Prix. For his part, Antonelli described the moment as a error. He commented he was pushing hard to catch the Williams ahead and had a "big snap" that caused him to run wide and lose the position. "It proved really hard with the turbulence and the high tyre temperatures," Antonelli remarked. "It's disappointing to lose the place because it would have been additional points." Main Takeaways from the Situation Red Bull has voiced remorse for comments made by a staff member. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli received death threats in the aftermath of those comments. The controversial remark involved an on-track pass that affected the title battle. Video evidence show Antonelli lost control, contradicting the suggestion of deliberate action. The engineer involved has expressed regret to Mercedes management.