Wolff Blasts Marko Over 'Brainless' Antonelli Accusation
Toto Wolff has fiercely refuted Helmut Marko's "brainless" claim that Kimi Antonelli intentionally let Lando Norris pass at the Qatar Grand Prix. The incident, which saw Norris gain crucial points, has sparked a war of words between Mercedes and Red Bull as the championship battles intensify heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has vehemently dismissed Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko's accusation that Kimi Antonelli deliberately let Lando Norris pass at the Qatar Grand Prix, branding the claim "brainless." The incident, which occurred on the penultimate lap, saw Antonelli slide wide, allowing Norris to gain crucial championship points.
Why it matters:
This fiery exchange highlights the intense championship battle between Mercedes and Red Bull, with both teams fighting for constructor and driver points. Accusations of deliberate interference, especially from a high-profile figure like Marko, can fuel controversy and add pressure to drivers and teams during a critical phase of the season. Mercedes is aiming for P2 in the Constructors' Championship, and every point counts, while the driver's championship is a tight three-way battle.
The Details:
- The Incident: On Lap 57 of the Qatar Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) slid wide at Turns 9 and 10 while defending fourth position from Lando Norris (McLaren). This allowed Norris to overtake and secure P4, gaining two valuable championship points.
- Marko's Accusation: Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko told Sky DE that Antonelli's maneuver was deliberate, stating, "He let him pass. It was too flashy." Max Verstappen's engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, also commented on team radio that Antonelli "just pulled over and let Norris through."
- Wolff's Defense: Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, strongly defended Antonelli, calling Marko's claim "total and utter nonsense" and asking, "How brainless can you be to even say something like this?" Wolff also clarified Lambiase's radio message, stating he spoke with him and that Lambiase, being emotional, didn't fully see the situation and later apologized for causing a social media stir.
- Antonelli's Explanation: Wolff explained that Antonelli "just went off. He had a bit of a moment in the previous corner, and then had less entry speed into that left-hander, put the gas down and had that moment, which can happen, that lost the position."
- Team Performance: Wolff also reflected on Mercedes' race, with Antonelli and George Russell finishing fifth and sixth. He noted that in free air, George Russell was a second quicker, highlighting the performance drop caused by turbulence in traffic.
The Big Picture:
Mercedes currently holds a 33-point lead over Red Bull in the constructors' championship as they head into the final race in Abu Dhabi. The driver's championship is incredibly tight, with Norris having a 12-point advantage over Qatar Grand Prix winner Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri just four points behind in third. Every position and every point is crucial for all three teams.
What's Next:
The F1 season concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the Constructors' and Drivers' championships will be decided. The outcome will largely depend on the performance of both teams and drivers, with any further incidents or controversies likely to intensify the already fierce competition.