Why Norris Owes Antonelli a Quiet Thank You
<p>As Formula 1 prepares for its season finale in Abu Dhabi, the championship narrative centers on McLaren’s Lando Norris and his narrow points advantage over Red Bull’s reigning powerhouse Max Verstappen. Yet behind the headlines and hype, an unexpected figure has quietly played a significant role in shaping the title fight: Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli.</p><p>Antonelli found himself at the center of controversy following the Qatar Grand Prix, where Red Bull officials suggested he deliberately moved aside to allow Norris through, costing Verstappen valuable points. Over team radio, Verstappen’s race engineer openly questioned Antonelli’s actions, a claim later echoed publicly by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. The allegations quickly snowballed online, drawing abuse toward the 19-year-old rookie.</p><p>Antonelli firmly denied any intentional wrongdoing, explaining that he had simply over-pushed while trying to overtake Williams driver Carlos Sainz in a battle for the podium. Overwhelmed by online criticism, the teenager temporarily shut down his social media accounts. Although Red Bull later apologised for the insinuations, the incident highlighted the intense scrutiny young drivers now face when title battles tighten.</p><p>Stripped of controversy, Antonelli’s debut season has been nothing short of remarkable. Driving for Mercedes, he has amassed 150 points and sits just two behind the legendary Lewis Hamilton, the very driver he replaced. Heading into Abu Dhabi, Antonelli even has an outside chance of jumping to sixth in the drivers’ standings—an extraordinary achievement for a first-year Formula 1 competitor.</p><p>Beyond raw numbers, Antonelli’s on-track moments have had outsized consequences for the championship battle. While the two points Norris gained by passing the Mercedes in Qatar sparked debate, that incident alone does not explain why the McLaren driver holds a 12-point lead over Verstappen heading into the final race.</p><p>The defining moment came earlier in the season at the Austrian Grand Prix. On the opening lap, Antonelli locked up under braking and collided with Verstappen, forcing both drivers to retire. The incident dealt a heavy blow to Verstappen’s title hopes. Starting from seventh, the Dutchman had already climbed to sixth and was well positioned for a strong points finish. Instead, he scored nothing, while Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri and Norris himself extended their championship advantages. Even a conservative sixth-place finish would have earned Verstappen eight crucial points.</p><p>A similar storyline unfolded at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Verstappen started from the pit lane and mounted a spectacular charge through the field. However, he ran into Antonelli’s Mercedes, which—despite being on older tyres—proved remarkably difficult to pass. The delay ultimately denied Verstappen a second-place finish and cost him an additional three points.</p><p>When these moments are added together, the impact becomes clear. Through direct incidents and race-defining battles, Verstappen has effectively lost around 13 points due to scenarios involving Antonelli. With Norris leading the championship by 12 points heading into Abu Dhabi, the margins could not be tighter—or more telling.</p><p>None of this suggests malice or deliberate interference. Instead, it underscores how a fiercely competitive rookie, simply racing hard and sometimes making mistakes, can unintentionally influence a title fight. Formula 1 championships are rarely decided by one duel or one driver alone; they are shaped by dozens of moments across a long season.</p><p>If Norris goes on to secure his first world championship in Abu Dhabi, the spotlight will rightly shine on his consistency, speed, and composure under pressure. Still, behind the scenes, he may owe a quiet word of thanks to the young Italian in silver. At the very least, an invitation to dinner might be in order—for few rookies have influenced a title race as much as Kimi Antonelli has in 2025.</p>