Formula 1 has been rocked by a wave of vile online abuse directed at Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, following controversial remarks made by Red Bull Racing personnel during the Qatar Grand Prix.
What Happened in Qatar?
During the race on Sunday, 1 December 2025, 19-year-old Antonelli made a driving error, running off the track. This mistake allowed McLaren's Lando Norris to seize the opportunity and overtake him for fourth place. The incident was a straightforward error by the young driver under pressure.
However, the narrative took a dark turn when key figures from the rival Red Bull team offered a different interpretation. Max Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, and the team's adviser, Helmut Marko, suggested Antonelli had deliberately moved aside to let Norris through.
The Fallout and Abusive Backlash
The consequences of these comments were severe and immediate. Mercedes reported that Antonelli was subsequently bombarded with a torrent of abuse across his social media accounts. The team confirmed the teenager received over 1,100 abusive comments, which included explicit death threats.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff launched a fierce defence of his driver, vehemently condemning Red Bull's initial suggestions. Wolff labelled the remarks as “total, utter nonsense” and “brainless,” firmly attributing the on-track moment to a simple mistake by Antonelli.
Red Bull's Statement of Regret
Faced with the serious escalation, Red Bull Racing was forced to respond. The team issued a formal statement expressing regret that comments from their personnel had contributed to the situation where Antonelli received death threats.
The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the intense pressure and toxic fan culture that can pervade elite motorsport, particularly towards young drivers. It raises urgent questions about the responsibility of high-profile team figures in influencing fan behaviour and the ongoing battle against online abuse in sport.
