Helmut Marko Apologizes to Kimi Antonelli over Qatar GP Accusation and Online Abuse

Helmut Marko openly apologized to Kimi Antonelli for receiving death threats and online abuse following the Qatar GP antics.

Helmut Marko Apologizes to Kimi Antonelli over Qatar GP Accusation and Online Abuse

Kimi Antonelli and Helmut Marko (via Getty)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Kimi Antonelli was one of the better drivers at the Qatar GP who put forth a consistent performance. Antonelli was supposed to finish in P4 if it wasn’t for his oversteer in the final lap that cost him the position against Lando Norris. Following Helmut Marko‘s critical comments, the 19-year-old received massive online abuse because of the on-track antics. Now, Marko retraces his comments and apologizes to the rookie for making a baseless assumption.

Lando Norris was supposed to be just 10 points ahead of Max Verstappen if Kimi Antonelli hadn’t lost control of the car and given the position to the Briton. Helmut Marko believed that the rookie ‘waved’ Norris by and gave him the P4 finish deliberately. Though Toto Wolff rubbished these claims and pointed out that Marko was speaking utter nonsense. After thorough research, the rookie was found to be innocent in the matter, and he had simply made an error.

Helmut Marko has now publicly apologized to Kimi Antonelli and Co. and warned the fans against sending the kid threats. However, a lot of damage has been done already, and it will surely take a toll on Antonelli’s mental health. Now, Marko has taken back his comments and accepted the ground reality that the Italian wasn’t trying to sabotage Max Verstappen’s championship chances.

Helmut Marko publicly apologized to Kimi Antonelli for receiving so much hostility and hatred online following his comments. Marko clearly reassured that Antonelli did not let Lando Norris go by intentionally and made a mistake under pressure. Although it is good that the 82-year-old has apologized for his words, he should certainly watch his words more before saying them out publicly in the first place.

I’m sorry that Antonelli got so much criticism online, To make it perfectly clear: He didn’t let Norris past intentionally.

Helmut Marko said, as reported by F1com.

Helmut Marko claims Kimi Antonelli could’ve ‘put up a better fight’

Kimi Antonelli is among the many rookies who have impressed the paddock in their very first year in Formula 1. Antonelli has a chance to overtake seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the driver’s standings, as he is just two points shy of the latter. Now, despite an extremely impressive P5 finish, Helmut Marko still believes that the Italian could’ve put up a better fight against the rivals in Qatar.

Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli (via Red Bull)

Helmut Marko insisted that he looked at the entire footage again very carefully. He claimed that Kimi Antonelli could’ve put up a better fight, especially against Oscar Piastri, who moved up very easily at the end. However, the second time with Lando Norris, it was merely a driving error, and Antonelli did not intentionally move out of the way to help the championship leader at McLaren.

I’ve looked at the footage again very carefully. The first time, Antonelli could have put up a bit more of a fight [referring to his battle with Oscar Piastri]. The second time, it was a driving error and not intentional.

Helmut Marko noted.

Formula 1 is certainly one of the greatest sports in the world. Those in high positions often carry a weight in their voice, and people take them very seriously at times. Hence, it is the responsibility of the people in power to watch their words and actions, as all their words are taken to the heart by the fans and the haters. This isn’t the only time Helmut Marko has said questionable things against the drivers in the paddock, and hence, he must watch his words better in the near future.

Read More: Ralf Schumacher Exposes Issues in McLaren’s Chain of Command After Qatar GP disaster