Source:REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
[Saba Sports News] After the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, an unreleased team radio communication was revealed, in which Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli anxiously inquired as his car headed to the pit, “How many points did Verstappen end up missing by?” His tone was filled with tension and guilt. Upon learning that it was just a two-point difference, Antonelli fell silent.This moment occurred after he had personally apologized to Verstappen, set against the backdrop of his mistake at the Qatar Grand Prix, which inadvertently allowed Lando Norris to gain two extra points. Ultimately, Norris finished third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing the championship by a two-point margin and ending Verstappen’s four-year championship streak since 2021.Previously, Antonelli’s error in the closing stages of the Qatar race sparked significant controversy, leading him to face online harassment and even death threats, impacting his emotions during the Abu Dhabi weekend. This unreleased team radio dialogue sheds light on the pressure and responsibility felt by the young driver.Fortunately, Verstappen had already communicated his support for the young driver. Antonelli revealed that Verstappen privately sent him a message of comfort, saying, “Don’t pay attention to those idiots, focus on your work.” In my view, while Verstappen’s choice of words is direct, it is filled with goodwill and support for the young talent.