Kimi Antonelli Reveals Talks With Max Verstappen After Qatar GP 'Death Threats'

Kimi Antonelli has revealed that he spoke with Max Verstappen and his Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, following the controversy and "death threats" he received after the Qatar Grand Prix. The incident stemmed from a late-race mistake that allowed Lando Norris to gain crucial points in his championship battle against Verstappen, leading to accusations and online abuse against Antonelli.

Why it matters:

Kimi Antonelli, a highly-rated Mercedes junior driver, found himself at the center of a championship drama after an on-track error. The subsequent accusations from Red Bull and the wave of online abuse, including death threats, highlight the intense pressures and toxicity that can surround Formula 1, especially during tight championship fights. The resolution through direct communication with Verstappen and Red Bull signifies an attempt to de-escalate tensions and protect a young driver from unwarranted attacks.

The Details:

• The Incident: On the penultimate lap of the Qatar GP, Antonelli made a mistake, allowing Lando Norris to pass him for fourth place. This gave Norris two additional points, extending his championship lead over Verstappen from 10 to 12 points heading into the Abu Dhabi finale.
• Red Bull's Reaction: Immediately after the incident, Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase commented over the radio that Antonelli had "just pulled over and let Norris through." Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko also voiced suspicion regarding Antonelli's move.
• Mercedes' Defense: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff strongly defended Antonelli, calling Marko's comments "brainless" and questioning if he was "seeing ghosts."
• Online Abuse: Following the race, Antonelli became the target of severe online abuse, including death threats. Mercedes reported a staggering 1100% increase in hateful comments across its social media platforms.
• Red Bull's Statement & Clarification: Red Bull later issued a statement expressing regret over the treatment Antonelli received. Antonelli confirmed that he had conversations with both Lambiase and Max Verstappen to clarify the situation.
• Antonelli's Perspective: Antonelli explained that his mistake was due to pushing hard and managing worn tires in dirty air, not an intentional act to wave a competitor past. "I was fighting for P3 at the end of the day. I was pushing hard and trying to get in the DRS of [Carlos] Sainz, and after so many laps in the dirty air and pushing so hard, the mistake arrived," he stated.
• Verstappen's Support: Antonelli revealed that Verstappen understood the situation and offered support, advising him to ignore the negativity: "[Max] saw what happened, and he wasn't bothered by anything, and he even showed support... it was just: 'Don't worry about these kinds of people, because they're brainless, so just focus on the job.'"

What's next:

With the air cleared between Antonelli, Verstappen, and Red Bull, the focus now shifts entirely to the Abu Dhabi season finale. Antonelli will aim to put the controversy behind him and concentrate on his own performance, while the championship battle between Verstappen and Norris reaches its dramatic conclusion. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility individuals and teams have in managing narratives around young drivers and championship stakes.