Red Bull Issues Regret Over Online Abuse of Kimi Antonelli
Red Bull Racing has publicly expressed its regret over the online abuse directed at Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli following the controversial Qatar Grand Prix, during which suggestions arose that Antonelli allowed Lando Norris to overtake him to aid the Mclaren driver’s title bid. The team’s statement clarified that claims of deliberate cooperation were unfounded and acknowledged the impact of this narrative on Antonelli, who faced a barrage of over 1,100 abusive comments on social media.
Clarification of the Controversy
In the aftermath of the race, Antonelli made an error on the penultimate lap that allowed Norris to pass him and secure crucial championship points. During the race, Red Bull’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase suggested that Antonelli may have intentionally facilitated Norris’s overtaking maneuver, saying, “It looked like he just pulled over and let Lando through.” This interpretation was quickly rebuffed by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who labelled the comments as “brainless.”
The Backlash Against Antonelli
Following the incident, Antonelli’s social media accounts were inundated with severe comments, including multiple death threats. Mercedes confirmed these abusive messages, and Wolff condemned the situation, emphasizing that it was unjust to single out Antonelli for a mistake that stemmed from a hectic race environment.
Red Bull’s Response
On Monday, Red Bull clarified its stance, stating, “Comments made before and immediately after the Qatar GP suggesting that Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him are clearly incorrect.” They further acknowledged that video replays showed Antonelli losing control of his car, leading to the unexpected passing by Norris.
Impact on the Championship Race
Norris’s advancement to fourth place carries significant implications for the championship standings. Had he finished fifth, he would have required a second-place finish in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to assure his title challenge against Max Verstappen. As it stands, with a mere 12 points separating them, the title fight remains intensely competitive as the season finale approaches.
Conclusion
As the tension escalates in the final rounds of the championship, the focus now shifts to how both drivers will approach Abu Dhabi, with the behind-the-scenes controversies serving as a poignant reminder of the high stakes involved in Formula 1 racing. Red Bull, while clarifying its position on the Antonelli situation, must also contend with the narrative’s impact on the championship landscape.
