The Red Bull team Voices Regret Over Comments Following Online Abuse Targeting Driver Kimi Antonelli

The Red Bull racing outfit has released a comment stating its deep remorse for post-race remarks that were followed by a torrent of online abuse, including death threats, directed at Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli was said to have switched his social media picture to a solid black image on Monday, a response to the abusive comments that flooded his accounts. Mercedes confirmed that several of these communications constituted threats against the driver's life.

The controversy stems from radio communications during the final laps of the Qatar Grand Prix. Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase remarked over the air that it "looked like" Antonelli had "deliberately moved aside" to allow McLaren's Lando Norris through.

This occurrence proved crucial for the title fight, as the overtake earned him two additional points. This increased the Briton's championship lead over Verstappen to a dozen points ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

In its statement, Red Bull clarified: "Comments made suggesting that Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake are factually wrong. Video evidence demonstrates Antonelli briefly losing control of his car, thus enabling Norris to pass him. We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi being subjected to such abuse."

The team's statement stopped short of a direct apology for the original claim. However, reports indicate that Lambiase later said sorry to Toto Wolff after being shown video evidence of the on-track moment.

"This is total, utter nonsense. That astounds me even to hear that," said Wolff. "We are battling for P2 in the team standings... How brainless can you be to even say something like this?"

Wolff explained that he had cleared the air with Lambiase, who stated he did not witness the moment when he made the comment. Mercedes noted a "1,100% increase" in abusive messages targeting Antonelli after the Grand Prix.

For his part, Antonelli described the racing incident as a error. He said he was driving aggressively to catch the Williams ahead and experienced a "massive moment" that caused him to run wide and surrender fourth place.

"It proved really hard with the dirty air and the tyres were overheating," Antonelli remarked. "It's disappointing to lose the place because it would have been additional points."

Key Points from the Incident

• Red Bull has expressed regret for comments made by a team member.
• Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli received severe online abuse in the aftermath of those comments.
• The controversial remark involved an on-track pass that impacted the championship standings.
• Video evidence confirm Antonelli lost control, debunking the suggestion of deliberate action.
• The individual in question has expressed regret to Mercedes management.