1996 F1 World Champion, Damon Hill, has reacted to Helmut Marko's controversial statement about Kimi Antonelli, after the Italian's mistake let Lando Norris claim fourth place at the Qatar Grand Prix.

With Max Verstappen dominating the Qatar GP after McLaren's strategic blunder, championship leader Lando Norris, was set to finish in fifth place, as the Briton had been unable to overtake Antonelli in his final stint.

If the race had finished with Verstappen in first and Norris fifth, then the Dutchman would have had an increased chance of winning the title at Abu Dhabi, as the pair would be separated by just 10 points.

However, on the penultimate lap of the race, Antonelli lost control of his Mercedes in Turn 9, running off the circuit and subsequently losing fourth position to Norris. This meant that instead of the gap in the championship being just 10 points between Verstappen and Norris, it was now 12 points.

Helmut Marko - Photo: RacePictures

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Marko's Controversial Comments and Hill's response

After the race, Marko accused Antonelli of aiding Norris in the championship. The Austrian stated: "It was twice where he more or less waved Lando by. It was so obvious. But the first time, it was the same."

Marko has since walked back these comments, saying: "I've looked at the footage again very carefully, it was a driving error and not intentional. I'm sorry that Antonelli got so much flack online. To make it perfectly clear: He didn't let Norris past intentionally."

After receiving a barrage of online abuse, Antonelli has opted to turn his profile picture on social media black, in order to stand against the online abuse.

Reacting to the initial controversial statements from Marko, Damon Hill took to social media, saying: "Well, I think we can rule out alcohol."  

In Qatar, alcohol is strictly restricted, with alcohol consumption being illegal in public, and the country enforcing a legal drinking age of 21. It is currently unknown as to what Hill was insinuating with this comment.

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