The FIA has spoken out after stewards faced a wave of online abuse and threats following the Dutch Grand Prix. The penalty handed to Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad sparked fierce reactions, including from a sponsor of the Williams driver.
Colapinto was given a drive-through penalty for overtaking Yuki Tsunoda under double-waved yellow flags on the opening lap at Zandvoort. Lindblad, a Racing Bulls driver, received the same punishment for a separate infringement. The incident was triggered by Max Verstappen crashing at the final corner, leaving debris on track.
Colapinto described his punishment as "extremely harsh", while Lindblad also questioned the severity of the sanction. However, both penalties were applied under regulations governing overtaking under double yellows. The criticism escalated after Sean Summers, chief marketing officer of Colapinto's sponsor Mercado Libre, publicly attacked the stewards.
"The Stewards are killing the integrity of F1. This season they are proving to be horrible and impacting race results," Summers wrote. "Incompetence? Dishonesty? Both? Something is seriously broken in that organisation's culture." The criticism was followed by abusive messages and threats directed at the stewards online, prompting the FIA to respond through its United Against Online Abuse initiative.
"Following the Dutch Grand Prix, FIA stewards were targeted with online abuse after applying sporting penalties in line with FIA regulations," the governing body said. "The United Against Online Abuse Coalition condemns all forms of abuse and harassment. Disagreement with decisions is part of sport, but it must never justify threats or personal attacks."
The program was launched in 2023 after a steward faced targeted abuse following the United States Grand Prix. The FIA urged everyone engaging with the sport to do so with respect and responsibility, both online and offline. This case adds to a growing list of abuse incidents involving drivers, teams, and officials over the past year.
Earlier, Australian driver Jack Doohan revealed he received death threats during his time with Alpine in 2025, including before the Miami Grand Prix. He said he received emails threatening to cut off all his limbs if he remained in the car by that race.
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