Alpine Team and FIA Condemn Online Abuse Towards Yuki Tsunoda
The Alpine Formula 1 team and the FIA have strongly condemned online abuse directed towards driver Yuki Tsunoda following a practice clash with Franco Colapinto at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. The incident, while typical of Friday practice incidents, sparked racially charged abuse from a subset of Argentinian fans on Tsunoda’s Instagram account.
Incident at FP1 and the Aftermath
In FP1, Colapinto impeded several drivers as he regained speed during his return to Formula 1 with Alpine. Red Bull’s Tsunoda expressed his frustration through angry gestures after being blocked. Despite the insignificance of the clash, some fans took to social media to hurl abusive comments at Tsunoda.
Before the weekend and after qualifying, Colapinto urged his fans to treat other drivers with respect. He also acknowledged Tsunoda’s right to be upset about the incident. Now, both Alpine and the FIA have spoken out against the online abuse that Tsunoda has faced over the weekend from a small but vocal minority of fans.
As an F1 team, we are privileged to be part of a global sport that inspires great passion and emotions, with a growing community of fans who eagerly follow their favorite drivers’ every move,” Alpine‘s statement read. “We encourage everyone to remember that behind the visor of these extraordinary athletes lies a person, an individual with feelings, family, friends, and loved ones.
The team further emphasized that they cannot condone online abuse and urged all fans to be kind and respectful. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has initiated a campaign to combat online abuse, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Motorsport is built on competition, passion, and commitment, and every race driver takes to the track representing these values.
He continued, “The passion and excitement we feel for our sport should unite us and never be twisted into abuse or hate. I stand in full support of Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto, and I thank them for speaking out against the growing issue of online abuse in motorsport.
