Mercedes to Contact FIA After Over 1,100 Threats Against Antonelli

Mercedes will contact the FIA regarding their 'United Against Online Abuse' campaign after an alarming surge of online hate, including death threats, was directed at Andrea Kimi Antonelli following the Qatar Grand Prix. The young driver has blacked out his social media profile pictures in response to the deluge of abuse.

Why it matters:

Online abuse against F1 drivers is a persistent issue, but the sheer volume and severity of the threats against Antonelli represent a significant escalation. Mercedes' decision to formally engage the FIA on this matter underscores the urgency and seriousness of the problem, highlighting the need for stronger measures to protect athletes from targeted harassment.

The Details:

• Mercedes' community management tools flagged over 1,100 severe or suspicious comments, including death threats, on Antonelli's social media accounts. This marks a 1,100 percent increase in hate compared to an average race weekend.
• Additionally, more than 330 severe or suspicious comments were flagged on the Mercedes Formula 1 team's social media accounts.
• Mercedes plans to share these figures and the hateful comments directly with the FIA as part of their 'United Against Online Abuse' campaign, seeking a robust response from the motorsport federation.
• The abuse reportedly stemmed from accusations by some 'F1 fans' that Antonelli deliberately moved aside to let Lando Norris pass in the closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix, allowing Norris to gain crucial points.
• Incident Reactions: Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's race engineer, initially remarked during the race that Antonelli 'simply moved aside,' though he later apologized to Mercedes for the insinuation.
• Helmut Marko also publicly stated that he believed Antonelli's action was deliberate. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reacted angrily to Marko's 'conspiracy theory' regarding the 19-year-old rookie's actions.

What's next:

Mercedes' formal approach to the FIA is a critical step in addressing the escalating issue of online abuse within Formula 1. The response from the FIA, which has its own 'United Against Online Abuse' campaign, will be closely watched. This incident could serve as a catalyst for more stringent social media policies and enforcement, aiming to create a safer environment for drivers and prevent similar targeted harassment in the future.