Alpine has once again spoken out against the wave of social media abuse that erupted following a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The incident involving Franco Colapinto sparked outrage online, targeting not only the Argentine driver but also other drivers and even FIA stewards. The Enstone-based team felt compelled to take a firm stand.
In an official statement on Sunday, Alpine emphasised that mistakes are part of racing but there is no excuse for hatred. "Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and no matter the result or outcome, nobody should be subject to hateful or abusive comments," the team wrote. They stressed that the condemnation is not aimed at any particular fan base but is a universal call to all fans of the sport.
The Baku incident occurred when Colapinto lost control and caused a pile-up at a safety car restart. In the melee, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris were taken out of the race. Norris, who had not yet seen the replay, suggested the culprit should get "at least a one-race ban." Though he did not name Colapinto, the remark triggered another wave of online attacks, mainly aimed at the Argentine but also hitting Norris, Gasly, and others.
Alpine reiterated its solidarity with Formula 1, the FIA, and other teams in stamping out toxic behaviour online. "We strongly condemn the reaction of some fans online and stand in solidarity with Formula One, the FIA, and other teams in wanting to stamp it out. It has become a regular occurrence in recent races and cannot be condoned," the statement continued.
Pressure on Colapinto and his team is not new. Earlier at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, the young driver received a drive-through penalty for overtaking under a double yellow flag. The FIA stewards' decision at the time sparked a torrent of hateful comments from some fans. Additionally, in Madrid, Gasly was also subjected to abuse after briefly refusing to let his teammate through. Gasly even revealed that his family received threats.
Interestingly, Alpine did not single out Colapinto's fan base in its statement. Instead, they emphasised that the condemnation is universal. "Condemning abuse on social media is not aimed at any one fan base or the supporters of one team or driver, this is universal and should be called out and recognised to all fans of the sport," Alpine stated. This approach shows the team's effort to remain fair and not inflame tensions, even though there were reports that team boss Flavio Briatore had threatened Argentine media over access to Colapinto if the hatred continued.
The phenomenon of online abuse in racing is indeed increasingly alarming. Several drivers and teams have been targeted, and the FIA along with Formula 1 have been actively campaigning against it. With this latest statement, Alpine hopes fans can be more mature in responding to the intense dynamics of racing. After all, behind the wheel, they are all humans who can make mistakes. What matters most is how the sport remains a safe and enjoyable spectacle for everyone.
Baca Juga
Alpine kembali mengecam ujaran kebencian di media sosial usai insiden Franco Colapinto di GP Azerbaijan. Tim menyerukan solidaritas dan menghentikan pelecehan online.
Kimi Antonelli lulus ujian mental di GP Azerbaijan 2026, menghindari kesalahan yang menghancurkan peluang juara Oscar Piastri di Baku 2025.
Arvid Lindblad minta maaf kepada Liam Lawson usai insiden restart di GP Azerbaijan. Meski begitu, Racing Bulls sukses mengamankan poin dan menjauh dari Alpine.
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