A seemingly minor incident two laps before the end of the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix has now turned into one of the most talked-about controversies of the season — one that could shift the balance in the World Championship. That moment involved Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, and the final laps saw him briefly lose control of his car while in fourth place. This opened the door for Lando Norris in a McLaren to slip past and take fourth — gaining crucial points in his battle with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. That gap — whether 10 or 12 points — could prove decisive when the championship ends in Abu Dhabi.
At first glance — based on the available TV footage — the overtake looked like Antonelli had intentionally moved aside, prompting senior figures inside Red Bull to react strongly. Immediately after the race, Red Bull’s long-time adviser Helmut Marko declared, on live television, that “Antonelli waved him by.” The implication was startling: that Antonelli — seeing Norris driving a McLaren powered by a Mercedes engine — had voluntarily gifted his position, presumably to help McLaren’s title bid.
That statement triggered a fierce backlash. Social media exploded — with many attacking Antonelli, accusing him of unsporting conduct. For a young rookie, the consequences were severe.
However, after a more thorough look at the replays, a very different picture emerged — one of not malice, but human error. Marko, facing mounting pressure, re-examined the footage. What he saw led him to publicly backtrack, admitting that he had been wrong. In his words: the incident was a “driving mistake,” not an intentional act of yielding. He apologized — not only to Antonelli, but to all those who had reacted hastily based on his remarks. “It was no deliberate let-by,” Marko clarified.
Essentially, what had looked like a purposeful gesture was instead a momentary loss of control: Antonelli lost grip in a tricky sequence of turns, briefly slid wide, and that was enough for Norris to slip past in the chaos. Red Bull likewise issued a statement acknowledging that their initial conclusion had been incorrect. The team expressed regret — chiefly that Antonelli had ended up facing intense online hostility as a result of their premature comments.
From the perspective of Mercedes’ leadership, the original claim was baseless from the start. Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, had reacted angrily after the race — calling the idea that Antonelli “let Norris through” deliberately as “total nonsense.” He stressed that their fight in the Constructors’ Championship was real: “We’re fighting for P2,” he argued — “So we have no reason to hand over positions to rivals.” In his eyes, the overtake was simply the result of a misjudgement under pressure, not part of some collusion or gamesmanship.
The replay-backed correction has important implications for the championship battle. Because Antonelli lost fourth — and with it the two extra points — Norris now heads into the final round ahead by 12 points instead of 10. That margin might prove critical: under the revised standings, a win for Verstappen in Abu Dhabi would only secure him the title if Norris finishes lower than third. Had Antonelli held onto fourth, Verstappen would have needed Norris to finish at least one spot worse — a subtle, yet potentially decisive difference.
For Antonelli himself, the whole event has turned into a litmus test. A promising young talent, he now finds himself under harsh scrutiny — not only for the error behind the wheel but for being dragged into a controversy he didn’t intend to create. The wave of criticism, some of it deeply personal and unfounded, highlighted just how potent and perilous social-media reactions can be in modern sport. Marko’s retraction may have stemmed the tide — but it cannot erase the moment of damage.
As the paddock and fans turn their attention to the season finale in Abu Dhabi, one thing is clear: any tight moment between McLaren, Red Bull — or now a stirred-up Mercedes — will be watched with intense scrutiny. The slightest misstep, or claim, can stir a storm. Whether Antonelli’s mistake — and Red Bull’s hasty accusations — end up influencing the title more than the on-track battles remains to be seen. But the message from this saga is loud: in high-stakes sport, perception can shape as much as performance.
