Tensions soared at the Monaco Grand Prix as unearthed team radio from the race stirred controversy between two drivers.
- Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto threatened to “put him in the wall” after a clash with Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
- Bortoleto’s crash at Portier set off a chain reaction, with the rookie describing Antonelli’s move as “desperate.”
- Despite the drama, Antonelli escaped any penalties and maintained his position.
- Both drivers defended their actions, leading to a heated post-race discussion.
The Monaco Grand Prix, a highlight of the Formula 1 calendar, was fraught with tension when a previously unbroadcast team radio exchange surfaced. Gabriel Bortoleto, a rookie with Sauber, found himself in the hot seat after a collision on the opening lap with Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli. This incident caused Bortoleto to crash into the wall at the tricky Portier turn.
The on-track clash came after Antonelli attempted a daring overtaking maneuver on Bortoleto, who had just passed him at the hairpin. Despite avoiding contact, the move was perceived as aggressive by Bortoleto, who called it “desperate” on his team radio. The Sauber rookie expressed his frustration further by threatening to “put him in the wall next time,” a remark that raised eyebrows once brought to light.
Antonelli, meanwhile, finished the race in 18th place, marking his worst result of the season. The stewards opted not to penalize him, stating there was no contact during the maneuver. Bortoleto, on the other hand, concluded the day in 14th place after damage to his car required repairs. His heated communication with his engineer captured the emotions running high during the incident, as he exclaimed about the damage and Antonelli’s aggressive tactics.
The situation ignited discussion post-race, with both drivers defending their actions to the media. Bortoleto described Antonelli’s attempt to overtake as a ‘divebomb,’ indicating a risky move that put him in jeopardy at a section of the track known for previous incidents. He recounted how he had to take evasive action to avoid contact, ultimately leading to his collision with the wall.
Antonelli justified his actions by emphasizing his position at the apex of the corner during the maneuver. He stated, ‘It was an aggressive move but at the end of the day, I didn’t touch him.’ He also reiterated that his intention was not to cause Bortoleto to crash. The Mercedes driver emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining his race position, especially in relation to his teammate George Russell.
Both drivers seemed to stand firm on their perspectives, with Bortoleto highlighting the loss of his advantage due to the crash and Antonelli stressing the non-contact nature of his move. The incident served as a reminder of the intense competition and split-second decisions that define Formula 1 racing.
Monaco proved once again to be a circuit where tempers and tensions run high, leaving both drivers with much to contemplate after this dramatic encounter.
