How F1’s Online Popularity Has Fueled a Toxic Fanbase That’s Spiraling Out of Control
Formula 1’s meteoric rise in the Liberty Media era has been nothing short of spectacular. Social media has played a pivotal role in this boom, perhaps even more than Netflix’s Drive to Survive. But as F1’s online footprint grows, so does an ugly, unavoidable truth: toxicity within the fanbase is escalating at an alarming rate.
What was once a thriving, passionate digital community has, in many ways, become a battlefield of harassment, tribalism, and outright abuse. And according to new research, this trend is only going to get worse.
The Data Doesn’t Lie—F1’s Toxicity is Surging
A groundbreaking study by social intelligence firm Buzz Radar has analyzed 100 million F1-related social media posts over the past ten years, tracking 247,000 fan accounts. The results are disturbing: negativity and online hostility have nearly doubled in just the past three years.
Key findings from the study:
- Toxicity in F1 social media posts jumped from 11% in 2021 to 20% in 2023
- The 2021 Verstappen vs. Hamilton title fight triggered the biggest spike in toxic content
- 80% of toxic posts stem from team and driver rivalries, race controversies, and accusations of bias
And the worst may be yet to come. Buzz Radar’s predictive modeling suggests that toxic fan interactions could rise another 10–30% over the next three years.
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: The Event That Broke F1 Social Media
While F1 has always had heated debates, the sport’s toxicity problem exploded after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where a botched FIA decision altered the championship outcome.
That night marked a turning point. Fans, fueled by rage and frustration, flooded social media with accusations, threats, and personal attacks. Even drivers and officials weren’t spared.
Nicholas Latifi, whose crash triggered the infamous safety car restart, received death threats. The situation got so bad that he had to hire bodyguards for his own safety.
World champion Max Verstappen has also spoken out against the toxicity. On Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast, he said:
“People always make it a lot worse on social media. There are a lot of idiots on that platform that always have something to say, something to complain about.”
And it’s not just him. Many drivers, teams, and even race officials have grown increasingly concerned about the impact of social media toxicity.
Why F1 Social Media Feels More Toxic Than Ever
The core issue? Social media algorithms reward negativity.
Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram prioritize engagement above all else. And research shows that people engage more with rage-inducing content.
This is why:
- Rivalries & controversies spread faster than positive discussions
- “Rage-bait” headlines and out-of-context quotes dominate timelines
- Outrage gets more shares, comments, and reactions—fueling further toxicity
It’s a vicious cycle. Social media companies profit from the chaos, and as long as anger drives clicks, this problem won’t go away on its own.
The FIA and Sporting Bodies Are Fighting Back
F1’s governing body, the FIA, isn’t ignoring the issue. President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has made combating online abuse a priority, pushing for stronger actions against harassment and discrimination.
Through the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign, the FIA has joined forces with 28 other sporting organizations—including FIFA, World Sailing, and the International Tennis Federation—to address online hate.
A recent Online Abuse in Sport Barometer report revealed alarming statistics:
- 50% of all abuse towards athletes is misogynistic or racist
- 75% of sporting bodies reported threats against competitors and their families
- 90% of federations fear online abuse could force athletes to leave their sport
To tackle the crisis, UAOA has secured €400,000 in European Commission funding to develop stronger anti-abuse measures. But the real challenge remains: social media companies themselves.
Should Platforms Like X and Meta Be Held Accountable?
The FIA and other sports federations are growing increasingly frustrated with platforms like X and Meta (Facebook and Instagram), arguing that they aren’t doing enough to remove harmful content.
According to the UAOA report:
- The number of sports organizations demanding social media companies take responsibility has jumped from 57% to 67%
- 94% say social media platforms must play a bigger role in tackling abuse
Yet, recent shifts in Big Tech have only made things worse.
- Elon Musk’s changes to X have reduced content moderation, making it easier for toxic content to spread
- Facebook has cut back on fact-checkers, citing a push for “free speech”
- AI-driven algorithms are amplifying divisive content at an unprecedented rate
Unless these platforms change how they operate, F1’s toxicity problem will only escalate.
The Future of F1 Social Media—What Can Be Done?
Right now, the landscape looks bleak. F1’s social media boom isn’t slowing down, and as the sport grows, so does the volume of toxic interactions.
So what can be done?
- More action from F1 teams and governing bodies—Clearer policies and harsher penalties for harassment
- Stronger regulations on social media companies—Forcing them to take responsibility for abusive content
- Education & awareness—Encouraging fans to engage positively rather than feeding into the outrage machine
But unless social media platforms themselves make fundamental changes, the toxic cycle will continue. And based on Buzz Radar’s predictions, the next three years could be the worst yet.
Formula 1 may be bigger than ever, but at what cost?
