Kimi Antonelli: Red Bull ‘regrets’ abuse Mercedes driver received online following ‘patently false’ allegations at Qatar Grand Prix | Kimi Antonelli F1 News

Red Bull said it was “clearly wrong” to claim that Kimi Antonelli deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix, adding that it “regrets” the abuse the Mercedes driver has subsequently received online.

Antonelli continued to pass Norris, but on the penultimate lap Norris went wide, moving the championship leader into fourth place and picking up two more important points heading into this week’s title decider in Abu Dhabi.

The pass means McLaren’s Norris will go into the final race of the season with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen instead of 10, but team-mate Oscar Piastri is still in contention for third place, four points behind.

This means that the title will be decided if Norris finishes in the top three at this Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, rather than the top two that would have been had he not overtaken Antonelli.

Dutch race engineer Giampiero Lambiase, clearly unhappy with race winner Verstappen’s reduced points over Norris, told him over the radio that Antonelli “seemed to have just pulled over and let Norris pass.” Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said after the race that Antonelli had “shaken past” Norris.

Wolff said he spoke to Lambiase after the race and the engineer apologized for his comments, but Sky Sports News understands that Marko has also apologized.

“Comments suggesting that Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him before and immediately after the conclusion of the Qatar Grand Prix are clearly false,” Red Bull said in a statement.

“Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car and being overtaken by Norris. We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi being vilified online.”

Mr Antonelli changed his Instagram profile picture to a black circle on Monday morning, and Sky Sports News understands this was done to highlight his claims of abuse.

Mercedes flagged more than 1,100 “serious or questionable comments” across Antonelli’s social media accounts, including death threats, and 330 similarly abusive comments on the team’s own accounts.

The team will submit figures to the FIA ​​for its Unite Against Online Abuse campaign.

Mercedes team boss Wolff described Marko’s initial comments as “utter nonsense and heartbreaking”.

“We are fighting for P2 in the (constructors’) championship, which is important for us. You are fighting for the possibility of P3 (finishing the race),” Wolff said.

“How stupid do you have to be to say something like this? It’s frustrating because I’m frustrated with the race itself and how it turned out.

“I’m frustrated by the last mistake. I’m frustrated by the other mistakes as well, but hearing such nonsense turns me off.”

Live Abu Dhabi GP Schedule on Sky Sports F1

Thursday, December 4th
11am: Drivers press conference
2pm: Paddock uncut

Friday, December 5th
7am: F2 practice
9:00am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 1 (Session starts at 9:30am)*
10:55am: F2 Qualifying*
11.40am: Team boss press conference*
12:45pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 2 (Session starts at 1pm)*
2:15pm: F1 Show*

Saturday, December 6th
10:15am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 3 (Session starts at 11:30am)*
12:10pm: F2 Sprint*
1:15pm: Abu Dhabi GP qualifying build-up*
2pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying*
4pm: Ted’s Qualification Notes*

Sunday, December 7th
9:10am: F2 Feature Race
11:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP Build-up*
1pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix*
3pm: Checkered flag: Abu Dhabi GP reaction*
4pm: Ted’s Notes

*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event

The 2025 F1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract