Mercedes Hits Back After Red Bull’s Apology to Kimi Antonelli Amid Online Fury
In a dramatic turn of events following the Qatar Grand Prix, Mercedes has unleashed a powerful response to Red Bull’s recent apology directed at young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli. This comes after Antonelli was subjected to a deluge of online vitriol after a controversial race finish that left fans and teams alike buzzing with debate.
As the Qatar GP raced towards its climax, Antonelli found himself in a fierce battle for fourth place. However, a miscalculation saw the promising Italian driver run wide, allowing Lando Norris to swoop in and seize the position, securing vital championship points. The fallout was immediate and intense, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen receiving a radio message from his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, suggesting Antonelli had intentionally let Norris pass—a claim that was later echoed by Red Bull’s team advisor, Helmut Marko.
This miscommunication ignited a firestorm of online abuse directed at Antonelli, leading Red Bull to retract their earlier statements. In a bid to quell the backlash, the FIA also stepped in with a statement of their own. Now, as the dust begins to settle, Mercedes has firmly responded, standing resolutely against the rampant social media abuse.
Mercedes Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta addressed the situation in a video, emphasizing the seriousness of online harassment. “We take online abuse very seriously,” he declared, underscoring the team’s commitment to fostering a safe environment for fans. “With the communications team, there’s a lot of work on tools and platforms to create a safe area for the fans to interact with the team.”
Red Bull’s initial accusations against Antonelli—that he had deliberately allowed Norris to pass—have now been clarified by Mercedes, with Resta providing insight into the factors that led to the young driver losing his position. “On top of it, it was great to see on Monday a statement from Red Bull stating their position,” Resta stated, expressing appreciation for the retraction. He continued to explain, “He was driving quite on the limit. He was on a longer stint than Norris behind. Also, he was trying to catch up [Carlos] Sainz ahead. He was entering into the DRS zone, and so very close to Sainz. And like I said before, losing quite a bit of aerodynamic load with the wake effect. So he was trying to attack, but he also was trying to defend. And he was on the limit. And there’s a snap and he lost just enough to lose position to Norris.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities facing young athletes in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where every move is scrutinized, and the consequences of miscommunication can lead to a torrent of online abuse. Mercedes’ strong stance against this behavior highlights the urgent need for a safer digital space for all competitors and fans in the sport.
As the motorsport community rallies around Antonelli, one thing is clear: the battle for respect and fair treatment in the world of racing is far from over. It’s time for everyone to take a stand against the tide of negativity that can so easily overshadow the achievements of rising stars.









