Mercedes Respond After Red Bull’s Statement on Horrific Abuse Directed at Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes have responded positively to Red Bull’s public condemnation of the online abuse aimed at young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli, following intense criticism and even death threats he received after the Qatar Grand Prix. The team’s deputy technical director, Simone Resta, confirmed that Mercedes “truly appreciated” Red Bull’s intervention at a crucial moment, calling it an important gesture at a time when the sport continues to battle the growing issue of online toxicity.
The controversy erupted after the closing stages of the Qatar GP, where 19-year-old Antonelli—competing in his rookie Formula 1 season—made a small but costly mistake. As the race approached its final corners, Antonelli ran slightly wide, which opened the door for Lando Norris to overtake him. Norris’s move earned him two additional championship points, narrowing the title race as F1 approaches its dramatic season finale at Abu Dhabi.
Those two points have the potential to become extremely significant, as Max Verstappen enters the last round 12 points behind Norris—when the margin could have been just 10 if Antonelli had held his position. Given how tight the championship has been throughout the season, the incident drew intense scrutiny from fans and rival supporters online.
The situation escalated when Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, and Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko publicly suggested that Antonelli had “allowed” Norris to pass. Their remarks, widely repeated across social media platforms, were interpreted by many as accusations of intentional wrongdoing or bias—claims that had no factual basis. This speculation spiralled into a wave of online harassment directed at Antonelli, including messages so severe that they reportedly contained threats against his life.
Realising the growing backlash, Red Bull issued a formal statement defending Antonelli. The team clarified that their internal review of the race showed clearly that the young Mercedes driver simply made a mistake under pressure. Red Bull emphasised that they “sincerely regretted” that the earlier comments had contributed to a toxic online environment and condemned the inappropriate reactions from fans. They also reaffirmed their stance that no driver—regardless of team allegiance—deserves to face personal attacks or threats.
Speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Simone Resta made it clear that Mercedes valued Red Bull’s decision to publicly correct the narrative. He expressed disappointment in the scale of abuse Antonelli faced but appreciated the act of responsibility shown by their rivals.
“For me, for us, for the whole team, seeing the level of abuse was very upsetting,” Resta said. “We take any form of online harassment extremely seriously. Our communications department continuously works on using tools and platforms that help create safer digital spaces, so fans can engage with the team in a healthier environment.”
He continued by acknowledging Red Bull’s gesture: “It was important to see the statement coming from them on Monday. They clarified their position, and we genuinely appreciated that step.”
Resta added that despite the external negativity, Antonelli has remained focused and supported by a fully united Mercedes team. He praised the young driver’s resilience, highlighting how the team has rallied around him ahead of the crucial final race of the season.
“Kimi, the engineers, and everyone inside the organisation are working in perfect unity,” he explained. “Our goal now is to extract the maximum performance in Abu Dhabi. We want to finish strongly and secure our target of taking P2 in the Constructors’ Championship.”
The situation has reignited discussions within Formula 1 about the responsibilities of teams, public figures, and fan communities. Drivers have increasingly spoken out against the hostile online environment that affects not only them but also their families and team members. The FIA and F1 Management have pushed for stronger measures to protect participants and hold social media platforms accountable for tackling harmful content.
Antonelli’s ordeal serves as yet another reminder of how quickly fan passion can cross into dangerous territory, especially when competitive tension is high. The young Italian had already been under immense pressure in his debut season, and Mercedes stressed that such hostility is not only unacceptable but damaging to the wellbeing of athletes still developing their careers.
As the F1 paddock turns its attention to the championship decider in Abu Dhabi, both Mercedes and Red Bull seem aligned on at least one front: online abuse has no place in motorsport, and protecting the mental and emotional safety of drivers—particularly young talents like Antonelli—must remain a priority.
