Formula 1 responds with a statement to the recent incidents on social media and calls for respect for all involved
Franco Colapinto’s Formula 1 comeback with Alpine was overshadowed by online hate in Imola: On social media, some Colapinto fans lashed out at other Formula 1 participants, including Yuki Tsunoda from Red Bull. This prompted Alpine and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to issue statements, and now Formula 1 is following suit.
The racing series has been clear in its statement: “No one should be subjected to abuse online or in any other form.”
Formula 1 then addressed the recent incidents directly, which are directly related to the Alpine cockpit swap between Jack Doohan and Colapinto and Colapinto’s first appearance as an Alpine regular driver.
“Jack Doohan and Yuki Tsunoda are great personalities, very talented drivers and ambassadors for our sport. They and their families deserve respect and should not be attacked by people hiding behind social media,” writes Formula 1.
The racing series sees itself as a “close-knit community” and “we all condemn such actions. We will continue to work across the sport to report abuse and block it on social platforms.”
However, the Formula 1 community cannot achieve this alone, emphasizes the “premier class” of motorsport in its statement. Rather, social media platforms must also “do more to stop the spread of abhorrent comments and attacks,” explains Formula 1, without making any specific suggestions.
How Alpine and the FIA responded
Alpine had previously called for people to see the “people behind the visors” and to remember that they are “people with feelings, families, friends, and loved ones.” The team therefore called for “friendly and respectful” behavior, especially on social media.
FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem said: “The passion and enthusiasm we feel for our sport should unite us—and never turn into hatred or abuse.”
A social media post falsely attributed to Mick Doohan contributed significantly to the negative atmosphere. This fake post mocked a training crash by Colapinto, Jack Doohan’s successor at Alpine. Many fans believed the post to be genuine, but it was “completely untrue,” as Jack Doohan explained.
