The FIA have issued a statement following the online abuse and death threats towards Kimi Antonelli.

The abuse came following Antonelli’s error late in the Qatar Grand Prix, which enabled Lando Norris to capitalise, earning him two crucial points in the title race.

The championship leader, Norris, looked to be finishing in P5, just 10 points ahead of Max Verstappen, but Antonelli's Turn 10 error meant the McLaren driver could push it to a 12-point gap.

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko called it a deliberate act from the Italian driver, before withdrawing the accusation and issuing an apology.

Kimi Antonelli battling with Lando Norris - Photo: RacePictures

In the heat of the moment, Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, suggested over the team radio that the Mercedes driver had deliberately moved aside for the McLaren.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff spoke with Lambiase after the race and also responded to Marko’s original comments, saying he was “brainless”.

FIA's statement

FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, has released a statement rightly condemning the awful abuse, while also supporting Antonelli.

An FIA spokesperson told GPblog: “The FIA, and its United Against Online Abuse campaign, condemns abuse and harassment in any form.

“It remains absolutely critical that everyone operating within our sport can do so in a safe and respectful environment.

“We stand in support of Kimi Antonelli and urge the wider community, online and offline, to treat drivers, teams, officials and the whole sporting ecosystem with the respect and compassion that they deserve.”

In the wake of the online abuse, Antonelli has blacked out his social media profile pictures.

Read also

Damon Hill reacts to Marko's comments on Antonelli after Qatar GP

Mercedes reaches out to the FIA after over 1,100 abuse messages against Antonelli

Red Bull issues statement after Antonelli receives online abuse

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