🔗 Share this article The Red Bull team Expresses Remorse Over Remarks Linked to Online Abuse Targeting Driver Kimi Antonelli Max Verstappen's win in Qatar sets up a thrilling season finale. The Red Bull Formula 1 team has released a comment stating its deep remorse for post-race remarks that preceded widespread online abuse, including vile threats, directed at Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli reportedly changed his Instagram profile to a blank image on Monday, a reaction to the abusive comments that appeared on his accounts. His team confirmed that a number of these messages included direct threats against the driver's life. The controversy originated with team radio during the closing stages of the recent race. Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase suggested over the air that it "appeared as if" Antonelli had "just pulled over" to let McLaren's Lando Norris through. This incident proved significant for the title fight, as the overtake secured extra points. This increased the Briton's points advantage over Verstappen to 12 points heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi. In its statement, Red Bull clarified: "Observations made implying that Mercedes driver had deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake are factually wrong. Replay footage demonstrates Antonelli briefly losing control of his car, thereby allowing Norris to get by. We sincerely regret that this has resulted in Kimi receiving such abuse." The team's announcement did not include a direct apology for the initial accusation. However, reports indicate that Lambiase subsequently apologised to Toto Wolff after reviewing video evidence of the incident. "This is total, utter nonsense. That astounds me even to hear that," stated 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 stated he had not seen the actual incident when he made the comment. The team noted a "1,100% increase" in negative traffic targeting Antonelli after the race. Kimi Antonelli finished fifth at the demanding Qatar Grand Prix. For his part, Antonelli described the racing incident as a simple mistake. He commented he was pushing hard to catch Carlos Sainz and had a "massive moment" that led him to go off track and surrender fourth place. "It proved really hard with the dirty air and the tyres were overheating," Antonelli remarked. "A shame to lose the place because it would have been additional points." Main Takeaways from the Incident Red Bull has voiced remorse for radio remarks made by a team member. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli received death threats in the aftermath of those comments. The controversial remark centered on an on-track pass that affected the championship standings. Video replays confirm Antonelli lost control, debunking the implication of deliberate action. The engineer involved has expressed regret to Mercedes team leadership.
Max Verstappen's win in Qatar sets up a thrilling season finale. The Red Bull Formula 1 team has released a comment stating its deep remorse for post-race remarks that preceded widespread online abuse, including vile threats, directed at Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli reportedly changed his Instagram profile to a blank image on Monday, a reaction to the abusive comments that appeared on his accounts. His team confirmed that a number of these messages included direct threats against the driver's life. The controversy originated with team radio during the closing stages of the recent race. Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase suggested over the air that it "appeared as if" Antonelli had "just pulled over" to let McLaren's Lando Norris through. This incident proved significant for the title fight, as the overtake secured extra points. This increased the Briton's points advantage over Verstappen to 12 points heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi. In its statement, Red Bull clarified: "Observations made implying that Mercedes driver had deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake are factually wrong. Replay footage demonstrates Antonelli briefly losing control of his car, thereby allowing Norris to get by. We sincerely regret that this has resulted in Kimi receiving such abuse." The team's announcement did not include a direct apology for the initial accusation. However, reports indicate that Lambiase subsequently apologised to Toto Wolff after reviewing video evidence of the incident. "This is total, utter nonsense. That astounds me even to hear that," stated 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 stated he had not seen the actual incident when he made the comment. The team noted a "1,100% increase" in negative traffic targeting Antonelli after the race. Kimi Antonelli finished fifth at the demanding Qatar Grand Prix. For his part, Antonelli described the racing incident as a simple mistake. He commented he was pushing hard to catch Carlos Sainz and had a "massive moment" that led him to go off track and surrender fourth place. "It proved really hard with the dirty air and the tyres were overheating," Antonelli remarked. "A shame to lose the place because it would have been additional points." Main Takeaways from the Incident Red Bull has voiced remorse for radio remarks made by a team member. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli received death threats in the aftermath of those comments. The controversial remark centered on an on-track pass that affected the championship standings. Video replays confirm Antonelli lost control, debunking the implication of deliberate action. The engineer involved has expressed regret to Mercedes team leadership.