Antonelli apologizes to Verstappen for Qatar error, champion dismisses blame

Kimi Antonelli sought out Max Verstappen after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to personally apologize for a driving error in Qatar that allowed Lando Norris to gain a position, a move that ultimately matched the two-point margin by which Verstappen lost the 2025 world championship. The reigning champion immediately dismissed the apology, offering support to the Mercedes rookie who has faced a torrent of online abuse since the incident.

Why it matters:

The moment underscores the intense pressure and scrutiny placed on young drivers in high-stakes scenarios, and how a single minor mistake can be magnified in a close championship fight. More importantly, it highlights the stark divide between the respectful reality of the paddock and the toxic hostility often found on social media, where Antonelli received death threats.

The details:

• In the closing laps of the Qatar Grand Prix, Antonelli, defending against Carlos Sainz for a podium, ran wide while pushing in dirty air. This allowed the chasing Lando Norris to pass him for fourth place.
• The two points Norris gained for that position ultimately matched his final championship-winning margin over Verstappen.
• The incident sparked immediate suspicion from some in the Red Bull camp, with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and advisor Helmut Marko questioning over radio and in media how Norris got through. Both later retracted any implication of intent, and Red Bull issued a formal apology.
• Despite paddock consensus that it was a simple error, Antonelli carried the guilt to Abu Dhabi. Post-race, he found Verstappen, embraced him, and said, "I’m really sorry."
• Verstappen's response was immediate and supportive: "Mate, don’t be. It’s all good. No hard feelings," offering a handshake and a smile captured by Mercedes' social team.

The big picture:

Team principals and drivers were quick to contextualize the moment, stressing it was not the sole deciding factor in the championship. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff labeled any talk of intentional interference "nonsense," noting it was simply "a small moment." Analysts also pointed out that McLaren's strategic options in Abu Dhabi meant the title would not have hinged solely on the Qatar result. Verstappen himself later dismissed other suggested season-defining moments, including a penalty in Spain, refusing to pin the title loss on any single event.

What's next:

The episode serves as a poignant lesson in the magnifying glass of modern F1, where every action is dissected. For Antonelli, the public support from a champion like Verstappen and his team is a crucial step in moving past the incident. It also reinforces ongoing discussions within the sport about protecting drivers, especially rookies, from the severe consequences of online abuse.