Sauber F1 Faces Backlash Over Tragic Death of Streamer Jean Pormanove
In a shocking turn of events, the Sauber F1 team has found itself in the eye of a storm following the tragic death of popular French streamer Jean Pormanove. The 46-year-old, known for his live broadcasts on the streaming platform Kick, passed away after an excruciating 10-day streaming marathon that left him vulnerable to relentless abuse, sleep deprivation, and the consumption of dangerous substances. The circumstances surrounding his death, which occurred live on camera, are as horrifying as they are tragic.
The aftermath of this incident has ignited outrage across social media platforms, with fans and fellow streamers calling out the blatant disregard shown by his co-streamers, who allegedly partook in the very abuse that contributed to Pormanove’s heartbreaking demise. This incident unfolded on the French streaming channel Le Lokal, notorious for its history of airing content that promotes humiliation and violence for entertainment. Despite previous detentions of its founders for such troubling practices, Le Lokal continues to operate on Kick, raising serious questions about the platform’s content moderation policies.
Sauber, whose F1 team is prominently sponsored by Kick, has now issued an official statement expressing their sorrow over the tragedy. The team stated, “We are saddened by this tragedy and trust Kick to take all necessary steps to uphold its safeguards and protect creators.” This response, however, has not quelled the rising tide of criticism from fans and the French authorities who are demanding accountability.
Kick, which has naming rights to the Sauber F1 team until the end of the 2025 season, has also released a statement, extending condolences to Pormanove’s family and friends. They stated, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jean Pormanove… All co-streamers who participated in this live broadcast have been banned pending the ongoing investigation.” In a bid to salvage their reputation amidst the backlash, Kick announced the termination of their collaboration with a former French social media agency and initiated a comprehensive review of their French content, emphasizing their commitment to creating a safer environment for creators.
As the F1 world watches closely, questions remain about the future of Kick’s sponsorship with Sauber, especially with the team set to transition to Audi in 2026. Will Kick remain on board during this pivotal change? The fate of the partnership hangs in the balance, as public scrutiny intensifies.
In a twist of generosity, Canadian superstar Drake, one of Kick’s most prominent advocates, has offered to cover Pormanove’s funeral expenses. This gesture, however, does little to erase the grim reality of what has transpired, leaving fans and the industry at large grappling with the consequences of unchecked online behavior.
The specter of this tragedy looms large over the streaming community and the Sauber F1 team, prompting urgent calls for reform and stricter regulations to protect creators. As investigations continue, the hope for justice and accountability grows stronger, leaving many to wonder: how many more lives must be lost before necessary changes are made?
