Toto Wolff has called Max Verstappen’s race engineer Giampiero Lambiase “smart” after suggesting Kimi Antonelli may have deliberately allowed Lando Norris to pass him in the closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Championship leader Norris appeared to fall short in his attempt to pass Antonelli, but the Mercedes driver ran wide at Turn 10 on the penultimate lap, allowing McLaren to secure fourth place and two vital extra points.
The pass means Norris heads into next weekend’s final race of the season in Abu Dhabi with a 12-point lead over Verstappen instead of 10, but team-mate Oscar Piastri is still in contention for third place, four points behind.
Clearly unhappy with race winner Verstappen’s reduced points against Norris, Rambias told the Dutchman over the Red Bull radio that it appeared Antonelli had “just pulled over and let Norris pass.”
Wolff went on to reveal that Lambieth had apologized for his radio comments, but the Silver Arrows boss was still highly critical of Verstappen’s trusted colleague.
“This is complete nonsense. I’m shocked just to hear that,” Wolff said after the race.
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2025 Qatar GP Highlights
“We’re fighting for P2 in the (constructors’) championship, which is important for us. You’re fighting for a potential P3 (finishing the race).
“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.”
Wolf reveals Rambias’ apology
Wolff revealed that he had a confrontation with Lambiase over his post-race comments, and that Lambiase, a longtime Red Bull contributor, had offered an apology.
“I spoke to GP (Lambiase). I saw him and obviously he was emotional at that moment because I think they needed P3 to win the championship and now they need more.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen believes McLaren’s decision not to pit under the safety car played a vital role in winning the Qatar Grand Prix
“I said to him, ‘He just stalled’. He had a little bit of time in the front corner and then he slowed down on the approach to the left-handed driver and lowered the throttle. At that moment, it could have happened and then he lost the position. So in the GP everything is clear. We cleared the air.”
“He said, ‘I didn’t see the situation.’
“I told my doctor that there was quite a social media storm going on. He said, ‘I’m sorry if I caused it, but I didn’t see the incident.'”
Antonelli explains ‘unexpected’ mistake
Antonelli said he was frustrated after a “big moment” in the closing stages allowed him to be passed by Norris.
The Italian teenager was chasing Carlos Sainz for the final podium spot, but a mistake at Turn 9 meant he went wide at the next corner.
Antonelli told Sky Sports F1: “It’s quite disappointing to finish fifth considering we were so close to the podium.
Antonelli was passed by Norris on the penultimate lap.
“I lost a lot of time behind Carlos, it was really difficult because the air was dirty and the tires were really overheating.
“I was on the hard (tires) so I was pushing pretty hard to get close to Carlos. In the end I was either DRS or pretty close, but I went into Turn 9 a little faster and had a great moment.”
“It was a bit unexpected, but I just lost the rear and went off the track. I need to think about why the mistake happened and whether I should have done things differently.
“I was faster, but not by much. I could have won two more points, so it’s a shame to drop down.”
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
