Marko Accuses Antonelli of Deliberately Letting Norris Pass in Qatar GP

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has accused Kimi Antonelli of intentionally allowing Lando Norris to pass him in the closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix, a move that gave Norris two crucial extra points in the championship battle.

Why it matters:

This accusation adds a layer of controversy to an already tight championship fight between Norris and Max Verstappen. If Antonelli indeed let Norris through, it could imply strategic team play or an unusual error that directly impacted the points standings, making every decision and every position vital as the season reaches its climax.

The Details:

• Incident at Turn 9: Antonelli, running fourth after Norris's second pit stop on Lap 44 of 57, held off the McLaren until Lap 56. He made a critical mistake at Turn 9, which put him on a tighter angle for Turn 10.
• Norris Capitalizes: This error allowed Antonelli to run wide, giving Norris the opportunity to reclaim fourth place and secure two additional points. Verstappen went on to win the race.
• Championship Impact: Norris now holds a 12-point advantage over Verstappen (408 to 396), with Oscar Piastri also in contention at 392 points, highlighting the significance of every single point.
• Marko's Accusation: Helmut Marko told Sky DE, "He let him pass, it was too flashy." He believes Antonelli's error was deliberate.
• Engineer's Doubt: Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, also expressed suspicion over the radio, stating to Verstappen: "Not sure what happened to Antonelli. It looks like he just pulled over and let Norris through."

The Big Picture:

Marko also reflected on Max Verstappen's 70th career Grand Prix victory, emphasizing Red Bull's strategic decisions that led to the win.

• Safety Car Strategy: Marko praised the team's decision to pit during the safety car period, which he believed was crucial for maintaining race pace against the McLarens.
• Verstappen's Precision: He commended Verstappen's precise driving, noting that Max drove exactly as fast as needed to keep Piastri from closing the gap.
• McLaren's Non-Pit: Marko expressed positive surprise that McLaren did not pit, which allowed Red Bull to refine their strategy further.
• Victory Secured: According to Marko, the timing of their first stop effectively secured the victory for Verstappen.

What's next:

The implications of Marko's comments could fuel further discussions about sportsmanship and championship tactics. As the F1 season progresses, every move on and off the track will be scrutinized, especially with the drivers' championship still so tightly contested among Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri. The next races will be critical in determining whether Antonelli's 'mistake' had a lasting impact on the title outcome.