Marko Irritated: Did Antonelli Let Norris Pass Intentionally?

Max Verstappen continues to keep the championship battle alive for McLaren. With his victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, the Red Bull star closed the gap to championship leader Lando Norris to just twelve points.

A contentious moment after the Qatar GP sparked further discussion: Norris overtook Andrea Kimi Antonelli, securing fourth place—and two crucial points—just two laps from the finish in the title fight.

Why it matters:

• This incident has fueled speculation about team orders and fair play in a tightly contested championship battle, potentially impacting the final outcome of the drivers' and constructors' championships.
• Even seemingly minor point swings can be decisive, especially with Red Bull's Helmut Marko vocally expressing his team's frustration, highlighting the high stakes for both teams.

The Details:

• Initially, TV footage did not clearly show why the Italian driver moved aside, leading to immediate speculation within Red Bull that the Mercedes driver had intentionally let the McLaren (also powered by a Mercedes engine) pass.
• Red Bull's Accusation: Red Bull's chief advisor Helmut Marko expressed frustration, stating, "Antonelli waved him past," referencing the crucial moment. Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, also interpreted the scene similarly over team radio. For Verstappen and Red Bull, these lost two points are painful in the championship race.
• Mercedes' Rebuttal: Mercedes has denied the conspiracy theory. A team spokesperson responded, "I understand that GP (Verstappen’s race engineer) is emotional because he lost two points. But we are fighting for second place in the Constructors' Championship, and it's important to score maximum points. Therefore, he didn't let anyone pass; he merely made a mistake. I am just as annoyed by it as he is."
• No Conspiracy, Just a Mistake: Mercedes claims it was a driver error at an inopportune moment, not a deliberate act. However, the incident remains politically charged heading into the championship finale in Abu Dhabi, especially if Norris finishes third while Verstappen wins, making those two points critical.

By the numbers:

Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix 2025 Results

1. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:24:38.241 hrs.
2. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +7.995
3. Carlos Sainz (E), Williams, +22.665
4. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +23.315
5. Kimi Antonelli (I), Mercedes, +28.317
6. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +48.599
7. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +54.045
8. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +56.785
9. Liam Lawson (NZ), Racing Bulls, +1:00.073 min
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Red Bull Racing, +1:01.770

Formula 1 World Championship Standings after 23 of 24 Races

Drivers

1. Norris 408 points
2. Verstappen 396
3. Piastri 392
4. Russell 309
5. Leclerc 230
6. Hamilton 152
7. Antonelli 150
8. Albon 73
9. Sainz 64
10. Hadjar 51

Teams

1. McLaren 800 points
2. Mercedes 459
3. Red Bull Racing 426
4. Ferrari 382
5. Williams 137
6. Racing Bulls 92
7. Aston Martin 80
8. Haas 73
9. Sauber 68
10. Alpine 22

What's next:

• The controversy surrounding Antonelli's move will likely intensify as the championship heads to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
• The outcome of the investigation, if any, or further clarification from Mercedes will be crucial in potentially affecting the psychological edge of the teams involved.
• Every point will count in the finale, making this incident a key talking point in the final showdown for the 2025 F1 title.