Mercedes Appreciates Red Bull's Support for Kimi Antonelli After Online Abuse

Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta has revealed the team's gratitude for Red Bull's public statement defending Kimi Antonelli against severe online abuse. The young driver faced a barrage of death threats and hate speech following a late error at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

Online abuse targeting drivers, especially young talents like Antonelli, is a growing concern in motorsport. Red Bull's unusual step to defend a Mercedes-affiliated driver highlights the sport's collective responsibility to combat such toxicity and protect its athletes. This incident underscores the urgent need for a safer online environment within the F1 community.

The details:

• Incident: Kimi Antonelli, 19, made a mistake in the closing laps of the Qatar GP, running wide and allowing Lando Norris to gain two crucial points. This error had implications for Max Verstappen's championship lead, narrowing the gap from 12 to 10 points ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
• Allegations: Red Bull's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and advisor Helmut Marko initially suggested Antonelli intentionally allowed Norris to pass.
• Red Bull's Statement: The Austrian team later issued a statement clarifying that Antonelli's move was a genuine mistake, not deliberate, and expressed "sincerely regretted" that their earlier comments fueled a wave of online abuse and death threats against the Italian teenager.
• Mercedes' Reaction: Simone Resta stated that Mercedes "really appreciated" Red Bull's statement, emphasizing their disappointment over the extent of hate Antonelli received. Mercedes takes online abuse very seriously and is actively working on tools and platforms to create a safer environment for fans to interact with the team.

The big picture:

This incident is not isolated, with many public figures and athletes facing similar online harassment. The joint condemnation by rival F1 teams, Red Bull and Mercedes, sends a strong message that such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It also highlights the pressure young drivers face, where every on-track mistake can lead to severe off-track consequences from a vocal minority online.

What's next:

Kimi Antonelli, alongside the Mercedes engineers and team, remains focused on maximizing their potential in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Their primary objective is to secure P2 in the constructors' classification. This unified front aims to demonstrate resilience and professionalism in the face of adversity, reinforcing the sport's commitment to supporting its talents.