Mercedes to Escalate FIA Action After Kimi Antonelli Targeted With Online Death Threats
Mercedes have confirmed they will formally involve the FIA after teenage driver Kimi Antonelli was subjected to a wave of online abuse, including death threats, following the Qatar Grand Prix. The German manufacturer has described the situation as deeply concerning and says it will take decisive action to protect its young driver.
Antonelli, who is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Mercedes’ junior programme, became the target of intense backlash on social media after a late-race error in Qatar. On the penultimate lap, the Italian rookie made a mistake that allowed McLaren’s Lando Norris to overtake him for fourth place. While the incident was minor in racing terms, it had significant championship implications.
Norris’ late gain of position earned him two additional points, meaning he now heads into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a 12-point advantage over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship battle. That context appears to have fuelled a hostile reaction from some fans, with Antonelli becoming an unjustified focal point of frustration online.
Shortly after the race concluded, Antonelli changed his social media profile picture to a plain black image, a move widely interpreted as a response to the abuse he had received. While many fans and fellow drivers posted messages of encouragement and support under his latest Instagram post, a significant number of comments were aggressive, abusive, and, in some cases, threatening.
Mercedes’ internal community management systems reportedly flagged more than 1,100 comments directed at Antonelli’s personal social media accounts that were deemed severe or suspicious. Alarmingly, several of these messages reportedly included explicit death threats or wishes of physical harm. In addition, more than 330 similarly serious comments were identified across Mercedes’ official team accounts.
The scale and severity of the abuse has prompted Mercedes to take the matter extremely seriously. The team has confirmed it will compile the offensive messages and submit them to the FIA as part of the governing body’s United Against Online Abuse campaign. This initiative aims to combat harassment, hate speech, and threats within motorsport’s digital spaces.
Mercedes believe the situation highlights a growing problem within the sport, particularly as younger drivers are promoted to Formula 1 and its surrounding platforms at increasingly early ages. Antonelli, still in the early stages of his career, has been thrust into the global spotlight, making the team’s protective response even more crucial.
Tensions were further inflamed after comments made by Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko in the immediate aftermath of the race. Marko suggested that Antonelli may have deliberately allowed Norris through, a claim that was met with strong opposition from Mercedes.
Team principal Toto Wolff was quick to shut down the accusation, describing Marko’s remarks as “brainless” and firmly defending Antonelli’s integrity. Wolff insisted the incident was nothing more than a racing mistake and warned against creating dangerous narratives that could incite fan hostility.
Following the backlash to his comments, Marko has since reversed his position. The Red Bull advisor has publicly expressed sympathy for Antonelli and condemned the abuse directed at the young driver, acknowledging that the online reaction had gone far beyond acceptable limits.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the darker side of Formula 1 fandom, particularly in the age of social media where drivers can be targeted instantly and relentlessly. Teams and governing bodies have increasingly voiced concerns about the mental health impact such abuse can have on athletes, especially younger competitors still adjusting to life under intense scrutiny.
Mercedes hope that by escalating the issue to the FIA, stronger measures can be introduced to deter online harassment and ensure that those responsible for threats and hate speech are held accountable. The team has also reiterated its commitment to supporting Antonelli both professionally and personally as he continues his development.
As Formula 1 heads toward its dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi, the spotlight will remain firmly on the championship battle. However, Mercedes have made it clear that protecting the wellbeing of their drivers will always take precedence over on-track rivalries, sending a strong message that abuse of any kind has no place in the sport.
