Mercedes Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli has been subjected to over 1,100 abusive messages, including death threats, following a mistake during the Qatar Grand Prix. The 19-year-old has since blacked out his social media accounts after being targeted by online trolls.
The incident occurred late in Sunday's race when Antonelli veered off course, allowing Lando Norris to pass. This gave Norris two extra points, putting him 12 points ahead of Max Verstappen in the championship. Norris now needs only a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi to secure the title, regardless of Verstappen's result.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff dismissed suggestions that Antonelli deliberately let Norris through, calling them "total, utter nonsense." He clarified that Antonelli had a moment at the previous corner, leading to reduced entry speed. Red Bull later issued a statement regretting the remarks that sparked the abuse, acknowledging that replay footage showed Antonelli lost control of his car.
The team is compiling evidence of the offensive messages to submit to the FIA's United Against Online Abuse initiative. The abuse follows comments from Red Bull figures Gianpiero Lambiase and Helmut Marko, who questioned Antonelli's actions during the race.
