Young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has been the target of over a thousand "harsh or suspicious comments," including death threats, following his controversial maneuver on Lando Norris. The F1 community, led by figures like Bearman, Russell, and Leclerc, is rallying to condemn these "unacceptable" attacks.
In a shocking turn of events following the Qatar Grand Prix, the rising Formula 1 talent, Kimi Antonelli, became the target of a torrent of unusually violent online abuse. The Mercedes driver was subjected to more than 1,100 "harsh or suspicious comments" on social media, including alarming death threats. This wave of hatred was triggered by fan fury following his audacious overtaking maneuver on Lando Norris during the thrilling finale of the race.
Kimi Antonelli's resilience: We are athletes »
In the midst of this storm, AntonelliAt only 19 years old and in his first F1 season, he has shown remarkable resilience. He revealed that he has received messages of support from other drivers, including champions like Max Verstappen et Land Norris. VerstappenIn a gesture of solidarity, he described online abusers as « brainless », andAntonelli admitted that the hate messages, including death threats, were « hard to see ».
« I would never do anything that might favor one person at the expense of another. » the young man affirmed, insisting on his commitment to compete fairly. "Ultimately, we are athletes trying to give our best... it needs to get better."
Faced with this onslaught, the response from the paddocks was immediate. Oliver BearmanAnother pilot, and a voice of reason, led the charge against this odious behavior, calling the perpetrators nothing more than... "sad people"The pilot emphasized the intensity of the vitriol directed against Antonelli, contrasting with his own career path: I haven't faced that level of criticism, but it's part of the experience of being on a team like Haas rather than Classic Mercedes for sale »
Bearman did not hold back his criticism of the trolls, calling them " the dregs of the earth » for their hateful comments. He concluded that this criticism was « an absolute joke. This should not be tolerated.
Prominent figures in the F1 community, including George Russell of Mercedes and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, echoed Bearman's sentiments, unanimously describing the abuse as"Iunacceptable.
George Russell, who heads the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, urged those hiding behind their keyboards to act responsibly, stating: "These thousands of people have no excuse and really need to look at themselves in the mirror."
For its part, Charles Leclerc deplored the lack of consequences for online abusers and recalled the dedication of the athletes. “We’ve been racing since we were kids, dreaming of being in this position,” he noted. “Sometimes mistakes happen, and the hatred was for absolutely nothing.”
The incident took on added significance after influential figures such as Gianpiero Lambiase et Helmut Marko of Red Bull mistakenly suggested thatAntonelli had intentionally let through NorrisFaced with the negative reaction, they quickly apologized to Antonelli and Classic Mercedes for sale. In a press release, Red Bull acknowledged that the remarks were "clearly incorrect" and expressed his regret for the abuse directed against the young pilot.
While FIA Having already launched its "United Against Online Abuse" campaign, the approach to the final round of the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi is overshadowed by the urgent need for change. The world of motorsport, under relentless public pressure, is being called upon more than ever to unite for a safer and more respectful environment.
