'Never Acceptable'! F1 Fraternity Condemns Online Abuse Of Kimi Antonelli After Qatar GP

Last Updated:December 01, 2025, 21:49 IST

Antonelli was subject to a barrage of online abuse and death threats following the Qatar Grand Prix for letting Lando Norris pass him.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli (X)

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli was subject to a barrage of online abuse and death threats following the Qatar Grand Prix for intentionally letting Lando Norris pass him.

Antonelli finished fifth at the Losail Circuit as Norris came in fourth to send the championship battle into the final raceday at Abu Dhabi, after Max Verstappen won at Qatar.

Red Bull took to social media to apologise for the abuse the young driver received with a message that read, “Comments made before the end of and immediately after the Qatar GP suggesting that Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him are clearly incorrect. Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car, thus allowing Norris to pass him. We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi receiving online abuse."

Mercedes backed their budding racer with a post that said, “Abuse is never acceptable."

“The FIA, and its United Against Online Abuse campaign, condemns abuse and harassment in any form. It remains absolutely critical that everyone operating within our sport can do so in a safe and respectful environment," the governing body said.

With this victory, Verstappen’s total points for the season reached 396. Norris leads the championship with 408 points, and Piastri is in third place with 392 points, making the final race in Abu Dhabi decisive.

Four-time reigning champion Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail Circuit, delaying McLaren’s Lando Norris’ pursuit of his first World Championship title and giving himself a chance for a fifth consecutive title.

Norris can clinch the championship if he finishes on the podium in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen can secure his fifth consecutive title by winning the race, provided Norris does not finish in the top three. Piastri has a slim chance of becoming the champion if he wins in Abu Dhabi and Norris finishes outside the top five.

Since the summer break, Verstappen has won five races, whereas all other competitors together have secured only four victories.

Verstappen has staged a remarkable comeback this season, narrowing Norris’ lead in the standings from 104 points after the Dutch Grand Prix to a mere 12 points. Initially, it seemed that Verstappen was out of the race for his fifth consecutive title, but his strong performance in the latter half of the season has reignited the championship battle.

Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate, finished second behind Verstappen, while Carlos Sainz of Williams took the final podium spot, with Norris finishing in fourth place.

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