P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has addressed that he lost fourth place to Lando Norris in F1’s Qatar GP due to a genuine mistake, not a deliberate move.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli admitted to making a genuine mistake, not a deliberate move, which cost him fourth place to Lando Norris in Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix. The Mercedes rookie faced online backlash, primarily from Red Bull, with allegations that he let Norris pass intentionally, sparking a social media frenzy. Antonelli explained that he carried too much speed into a turn, causing him to lose control and go off track, allowing Norris to overtake. He clarified that he had no intention of letting Norris through, as he was aiming for a podium finish. Antonelli’s race was further compromised by congestion in the pit lane, where he lost track position, leading to his eventual mistake and loss of a place to Norris. Despite the challenges faced during the race weekend in Qatar, Antonelli remained focused on his performance and pushing to recover lost positions.
