The Mercedes driver has received numerous abusive messages after his error in the final laps of the Qatar GP which allowed Lando Norris to pass and pick up two valuable extra points in the title race.

Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer, already said during the race that it looked as if Antonelli simply moved aside. Lambiase later apologised to Mercedes for the remark. Helmut Marko, however, was very outspoken even after the race and told GPblog that he felt it was a deliberate move by Antonelli to meddle in the title race. The comments from Marko resulted in Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff reacting angrily.

Perhaps further fuelled by Marko’s comments, Antonelli was mocked on his social media channels and he decided to change the picture on his account to prevent more online hate messages.

GPblog understands that within the team there is deep dismay over the unjust and malicious way rookie Antonelli is being attacked online.

Red Bull Racing, Formula 1, and the FIA have so far not issued a statement condemning the abuse. The FIA’s silence is perhaps surprising given the federation’s widely-publicised anti-bullying campaign.