Red Bull Star Asked Manufacturer To Apologise To Mercedes Driver Following Online Abuse

Last Updated:December 03, 2025, 23:27 IST

Verstappen reportedly directed Red Bull to apologise to Kimi Antonelli for the distress caused to the Italian following an honest mistake he made a the Qatar Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli. (X)

Max Verstappen reportedly requested Red Bull to apologise to Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli after the young driver faced a wave of online abuse and death threats following the Qatar Grand Prix for allegedly allowing Lando Norris to pass him intentionally.

Red Bull issued an apology, however delayed, for the distress caused by Helmut Marko’s remarks, acknowledging they were unfair towards the Italian driver who had made an honest mistake.

ALSO READ| ‘What I Want To Achieve…’: Carlos Alcaraz Reiterates Focis On ‘Career Grand Slam, Calendar Grand Slam’!

Antonelli finished fifth at the Losail Circuit, with Norris coming in fourth, thereby extending the championship battle to the final race day in Abu Dhabi, following Verstappen’s victory in Qatar.

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, while all other competitors combined 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 just 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.

News sports formula-one Red Bull Star Asked Manufacturer To Apologise To Mercedes Driver Following Online Abuse

Read More