Red Bull say they were “clearly incorrect” to suggest Kimi Antonelli deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him late in Sunday’s Qatar GP, adding they “regret” the online abuse the Mercedes driver has received since.

Antonelli was fending off Norris until he ran wide on the penultimate lap which allowed the championship leader through to take fourth place, gaining two more crucial points ahead of this week’s title decider in Abu Dhabi.

The pass means McLaren’s Norris takes a 12 – rather than 10 – point lead over Max Verstappen into the final race of the season, with the Brit’s team-mate Oscar Piastri also still in contention, four points further back in third.

Clearly frustrated that race winner Verstappen’s points gain on Norris had been reduced, the Dutchman’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase told him over the radio that it looked like Antonelli had “just pulled over and let Norris through.” Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko then said after the race that Antonelli had “waved” Norris past.

Toto Wolff says he talked to Lambiase post-race and the engineer apologised for his comment, while Sky Sports News understands Marko has also apologised.

Red Bull said in a statement: “Comments made before the end of and immediately after the Qatar GP suggesting that Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris to overtake him are clearly incorrect.

“Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car, thus allowing Norris to pass him. We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi receiving online abuse.”

The 2025 F1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime