BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team driver Franco Colapinto has issued a plea to his fans on social media. He has called on them to stop with the online abuse directed toward team personnel and other drivers.
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The Alpine driver's fans have directed online abuse toward numerous people in the wake of Grands Prix in Zandvoort, Madrid and Baku. Some abuse went toward FIA stewards, some went to Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly, and some went to McLaren's Lando Norris.
The online abuse followed Colapinto receiving a penalty in Zandvoort for overtaking under a double yellow flag. It also followed Gasly refusing to let Colapinto overtake him in Madrid.
It also followed the Alpine driver making a mistake that led to a crash involving Gasly and Norris, the latter of whom said that the person causing the crash should receive a one-race ban.
"I probably should have spoken to all of you sooner, but this is something that needs to be addressed, something we need to change and improve," Colapinto said in an Instagram video, which has been translated.
"I will always be grateful, and I genuinely feel incredibly fortunate, to have had you all supporting me from the very beginning. I'm grateful for all the support you give me, for how you help me achieve results, and for how you constantly push me to aim higher.
"You help me and the team achieve our results, race after race, day after day, as we train and try to improve. And I'm genuinely grateful for all of that.
"I know it makes you incredibly proud when things go well for me, when I score points for myself and the team. And I have always been very grateful for that support.
"But sometimes, we go too far. Instead of supporting me, we end up criticising people and attacking other drivers, other colleagues, my team-mates, my mechanics, my engineers - people I work with every single day.
"I know you think you're defending me, but you're actually doing the opposite. You're not helping me or my future."
Alpine has attempted to curtail some of the online abuse without specifically targeting Colapinto's fanbase. The team said in one particular statement that mistakes happen when racing at the limit and that nobody should be subjected to abusive comments.
Alpine also said that calling out abuse is not directed toward one fanbase. The team said that this is universal and should be recognized by all fans.
"We know as a proud participant and stakeholder in the sport, we hold a responsibility to speak out and also help support in finding a solution," the team's statement said in part.
"We will continue to work closely with the championship promoter and rights-holder, and the governing body to discuss ways in which to tackle online abuse and encourage healthy sporting rivalry, which Formula One is renowned for and what makes it so special."
Colapinto is currently in the midst of his second season at Alpine. He ranks 12th in the driver standings after scoring 27 points. A pair of seventh-place finishes serve as his season-best marks.
