OLIVER BEARMAN SLAMS "SCUM OF THE EARTH" ABUSE OF KIMI ANTONELLI AS FIA STEPS IN
Oliver Bearman has condemned the online abuse received by fellow rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli following the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix. Branding those who sent abuse to the Mercedes driver as "scum of the earth", he adds yet another voice to those in support of the Italian.
Antonelli was subjected to a wave of social media abuse and hate following the Losail race, where a mistake allowed Lando Norris to overtake. This moment became the focus of intense criticism from fans of the championship, who wrongly saw this as a purposeful move to allow the title contender past.
Bearman, like many drivers, has seen similar abuse online.
"I didn't face that level of criticism, but that comes as part of being in a team like Haas rather than Mercedes. So, you know, there's also a benefit of starting your career in a team like Haas. You're a bit less in the limelight,” he explained. “You have the possibility to make mistakes and be less criticised for those.”
He didn't hold back in his assessment of those involved.
"I think generally it's always the case that people behind the screen are horrible and they're scum of the earth, really. I don't think they should be doing that type of stuff to someone,” he said, before adding that this level of abuse can be especially difficult for rookies to digest.
“I understand that people who've been in F1 for a very long time can get used to it and people who are rookies, it may be their first experience having that type of criticism, but that criticism is an absolute joke. It shouldn't be tolerated and I know the FIA are doing everything they can to stop that, but the problem is these sad people giving those types of criticisms. It's a joke.
“We're putting our lives on the line to entertain people and to give the people who are passionate for the sport a good time and you have people like that who are just hurting people and that's not just racing, that's also their personal life and I just think people are terrible. The real people of the world are terrible.”
In the wake of this abuse, the FIA released a statement of support for the Mercedes driver while Red Bull's Helmut Marko apologised for blaming the driver for letting Norris pass purposefully.
"I took another close look at the footage," he told F1-Insider. "The first time, Antonelli could have held his ground a little better [as Oscar Piastri passed him into Turn 1]. The second time, it was a driving error and not intentional. I'm sorry that Antonelli got so much flak online. To clarify once again: he didn't let Norris pass on purpose."
Photos from Abu Dhabi GP - Thursday
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Pato O'Ward, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 04: A detailed view of the Driver World Champion's trophy during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 04, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Sam Bagna
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Jak Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Team
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Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Pato O'Ward, McLaren
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George Russell, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Benson Boone
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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2025-12-04T11:12:52Z