Red Bull Racing has issued a statement of “sincere regret” after comments made by Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, led to severe online abuse and death threats against Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli.
During the Qatar Grand Prix, Lambiase suggested over team radio that Antonelli had “just pulled over and let [Lando] Norris through” on the penultimate lap.
Antonelli had run wide at Turn 10, losing fourth place and two crucial points to Norris, narrowing the title race gap to 12 points.
Antonelli changed his social media profile picture to black after receiving the abuse while Mercedes reported an “1,100% increase in the abuse” they usually see on race day.
Red Bull’s statement confirmed that video replay showed Antonelli “momentarily losing control of his car,” making the suggestion of deliberate action “clearly incorrect.”
Lambiase privately apologized to Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, stating he hadn’t seen the incident clearly when he made the initial remarks.
Wolff had initially condemned the comments as “brainless.” Antonelli confirmed he lost control while pushing hard to catch the car ahead.
