The shocking outburst of online abuse towards F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda has sparked outrage from the Alpine team and the FIA following a clash with Franco Colapinto during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
Colapinto’s actions during FP1 led to several drivers, including Tsunoda, being obstructed on the track, causing visible frustration from the Red Bull driver. Despite the incident being a common occurrence in Friday practice sessions, a fraction of Argentinian fans resorted to hurling racially charged abuse at Tsunoda on social media.
Both Colapinto and his team emphasized the importance of respecting fellow drivers, with the Alpine squad and FIA condemning the inappropriate behavior exhibited towards Tsunoda. The FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has initiated a campaign to combat online abuse, expressed his full support for both Tsunoda and Colapinto in addressing this concerning trend in motorsport.
The Alpine team reiterated the human aspect behind the visors of these elite athletes, urging fans to show kindness and respect online. The FIA echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the passion and excitement for motorsport should never translate into hateful conduct towards drivers.
As the motorsport community unites against online abuse, the spotlight is on promoting a culture of positivity and support for all individuals within the sport.
