The FIA, Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3 have issued a joint statement condemning online abuse and harassment. The statement from the governing body and racing classes comes in response to several incidents in the junior classes, where young drivers have been targeted with online hate messages. Yuki Tsunoda and Jack Doohan have also previously experienced online harassment.
The statement follows a series of incidents in the junior classes. For instance, McLaren talent Alex Dunne was subjected to online abuse and hate messages following the massive crash in Formula 2 during the Monaco Grand Prix. Skirmishes between polesitter Dunne and Victor Martins in the opening round resulted in a chain reaction that took half the grid out of the race. Dunne was identified as the cause of the mega-crash, and consequently received a barrage of online hate messages. The messages were so severe that Dunne removed social media from his phone.
Dutch driver Richard Verschoor also faced online hate messages after the Grand Prix weekend in Barcelona. The Formula 2 driver claimed victory in the sprint race and a third place in the Sunday race. The incidents in the junior classes follow Yuki Tsunoda and Jack Doohan being targeted with online hate last month.
‘Continuing to Act Against Abuse’
The FIA and racing classes have decided to intervene and have issued a joint statement. “On behalf of all teams and drivers, F1, F2, F3, and the FIA, through the United Against Online Abuse campaign, condemn any form of abuse and harassment,” reads the statement. “We will collectively continue to act against abuse and report this to social media platforms. Whether you are a fan or part of the motorsport world, we are all driven by passion. At the heart of this are people. We call on everyone to remain respectful towards the athletes and their teams.”
