Red Bull Advisor Apologizes After Antonelli 'Shitstorm'
Red Bull's Helmut Marko apologized to Andrea Kimi Antonelli after accusing the Mercedes driver of intentionally letting Lando Norris pass at the Qatar GP. The incident sparked a social media backlash against Antonelli, but Marko later clarified it was a driving error, not a deliberate move. Despite the apology, the points gained by Norris could be crucial in the tight championship battle, intensifying scrutiny for the Abu Dhabi finale.
A seemingly minor incident during the Qatar GP, two laps before the finish, has sparked controversy and could significantly impact the 2025 F1 World Championship. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving his Mercedes, briefly lost control while in fourth place, allowing championship leader Lando Norris to slip past. This move secured Norris two additional crucial points against Max Verstappen, extending his lead to either ten or twelve points ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale.
Why it matters:
Red Bull initially accused Antonelli of intentionally letting Norris pass, fueling a massive backlash against the Mercedes driver on social media. This accusation, quickly retracted and apologized for by Red Bull's Helmut Marko, highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny in the championship battle. Such incidents, even if based on misinterpretation, can significantly influence public perception and driver morale, especially for a young driver like Antonelli.
The Details:
- Initial Accusation: Red Bull's chief advisor Helmut Marko initially stated on Sky that "Antonelli waved him through," implying Mercedes favored McLaren, which uses Mercedes engines, in the title fight.
- Social Media Backlash: This statement led to a major 'shitstorm' against Kimi Antonelli across various social media platforms.
- Marko's Retraction and Apology: Marko later reviewed the footage and retracted his statement, apologizing to Antonelli. He clarified, "Antonelli could have put up a bit more of a fight the first time (referring to an earlier slipstream duel with Oscar Piastri); the second time it was a driving error and not intentional. I'm sorry that Antonelli received so much trouble online. To clarify: He did not intentionally let Norris pass."
- Mercedes' Response: Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff also firmly rejected Red Bull's suspicion, stating, "We are fighting for second place in the Constructors' Championship. We are certainly not giving anyone anything. He didn't let Norris pass; he made a mistake – which I'm just as annoyed about as he is."
The Big Picture:
Despite Marko's clarification, the incident still affects the championship. Verstappen's victory in Qatar leaves him twelve points behind Norris. If Antonelli had held fourth place, the gap would have been only ten points. This means Norris now needs a third-place finish if Verstappen wins, whereas without Antonelli's mishap, he would have needed to finish second. The incident serves as a significant character test for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who faced severe online criticism.
What's next:
Marko's clarification is expected to somewhat alleviate the pressure on Antonelli. However, the upcoming championship finale in Abu Dhabi will see every battle between McLaren, Red Bull, and now seemingly Mercedes, scrutinized with extreme vigilance. The high stakes mean any on-track incident, intentional or not, will be analyzed for its potential impact on the title race.