Red Bull has posted a statement after allegations Helmut Marko made about Andrea Kimi Antonelli following the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix prompted online abuse.
Antonelli ran wide and lost a spot to Lando Norris on the penultimate lap at the Lusail International Circuit, handing the Briton two valuable extra points in his title bid.
That has granted Norris a 12-point advantage over Max Verstappen going to the final race in Abu Dhabi, with a podium enough to see the McLaren driver be crowned.
Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, told the Dutchman that it looked like Antonelli, whose Mercedes team supplies McLaren engines, had let Norris past.
Red Bull advisor Marko doubled down on that accusation post-race, telling Sky Germany that it was “so obvious” that Antonelli had relinquished fourth place to Norris.
That prompted the Italian’s social media accounts to be flooded with a reputed 1000-plus comments, leading him to change his picture on Instagram to a black circle.
“Comments made before the end of and immediately after the Qatar GP suggesting that Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him are clearly incorrect,” Red Bull stated.
“Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car, thus allowing Norris to pass him. We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi receiving online abuse.”
Marko retracts Antonelli comments
Meanwhile, having rewatched the incident in question, Marko has retracted the comments, which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff branded “brainless”, that were broadcast.
“I took another close look at the footage,” Marko told F1-insider. “The first time, Antonelli could have held his ground a little better.
“The second time, it was a driving error and not intentional. I’m sorry that Antonelli got so much flak online. To clarify once again: he didn’t let Norris pass on purpose.”
The FIA releases statement condemning Antonelli abuse
The FIA has since weighed in, also releasing a statement condemning the vitriol that Antonelli has had to endure since the penultimate race of the season concluded.
“The FIA, and its United Against Online Abuse campaign, condemns abuse and harassment in any form,” it said.
“It remains absolutely critical that everyone operating within our sport can do so in a safe and respectful environment.
“We stand in support of Kimi Antonelli and urge the wider community, online and offline, to treat drivers, teams, officials and the while sporting ecosystem with the respect and compassion that they deserve.”
READ MORE – Toto Wolff blasts ‘brainless’ Red Bull claims that Kimi Antonelli aided McLaren in F1 Qatar GP
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