Formula 1 Fans Cross the Line: FIA and Alpine Take a Stand Against Online Harassment
In a shocking turn of events, the FIA and Alpine have come forward to condemn the recent surge of online insults directed at Franco Colapinto’s competitors, particularly Jack Doohan and Yuki Tsunoda, by some Argentine fans.
The backlash began after Jack Doohan lost his spot in the Alpine race to Colapinto. Mick Doohan, Jack’s father, raised concerns about the decision, hinting that Alpine had turned into a “team of paying drivers.” This sparked a wave of online insults, exacerbated by a fake account impersonating Jack Doohan, who mocked Colapinto’s crash in Imola.
Jack Doohan took to social media to publicly call for an end to the harassment, stating, “As you can clearly see, the circulating story above is completely false.” He shared a screenshot of the fake post and pleaded, “Please stop harassing my family.”
The situation escalated further when Yuki Tsunoda was targeted after showing the middle finger to Colapinto during the Imola practices following a block by the Argentine driver. Colapinto took responsibility for the incident and urged his fans to show respectful support.
The president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, also voiced his support for Tsunoda and Colapinto, emphasizing the need to combat online abuse in motorsports. He stated, “I fully support Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto and thank them for speaking out against the growing issue of online abuse in motorsports.”
The Alpine team issued a statement denouncing the harassment, urging fans to be kind and respectful towards all individuals involved in the sport. The team emphasized the human aspect behind the visors of these extraordinary athletes, highlighting that they too have feelings, families, and loved ones.
As the F1 community grapples with this disturbing behavior from fans, it is crucial for all supporters to remember the importance of sportsmanship and respect both on and off the track. The authorities are taking a firm stance against online harassment, sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the world of motorsports.