Alpine has issued an official statement condemning online hate and abuse after Lando Norris was targeted following the controversial Azerbaijan Grand Prix collision triggered by Franco Colapinto. The Baku incident has continued to generate debate even after the FIA handed the Argentine a five-place grid penalty for the next Grand Prix.
Norris was an innocent victim of the multi-car crash at Turn 1 following the first Safety Car restart. After the race, the reigning world champion called for much tougher punishment and even suggested that Franco Colapinto should receive a one-race ban. Some social media users subsequently flooded Norris’ account with insulting and threatening comments, prompting Alpine to intervene publicly.
Alpine condemns online abuse after Colapinto-Norris Baku controversy
The Turn 1 crash has remained one of the main talking points from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Franco Colapinto misjudged his braking point at the restart and triggered the collision that involved his Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly and McLaren driver Lando Norris.
The FIA stewards ultimately penalised Franco Colapinto with a five-place grid drop for the next race rather than the suspension Norris had called for immediately after the incident.
The controversy then moved onto social media. Norris became the target of abusive and threatening comments beneath his latest post, which had actually been published a week before the events in Baku.
Similar abuse previously targeted Pierre Gasly
The situation follows similar episodes involving Pierre Gasly after the Madrid Grand Prix, when the Frenchman and people close to him were subjected to online abuse from some supporters of Franco Colapinto.
The problem had already become serious enough for Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore to warn that Franco Colapinto could stop giving interviews to Argentine television if the behaviour continued.
Following the latest reaction to the Azerbaijan GP accident and Norris’ criticism, Alpine decided to publish an official statement condemning the abuse.
Alpine: ‘Nobody should be subjected to hateful or abusive comments’
“As a team, we feel it is necessary to speak out once more about the hate and abuse online following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix,” Alpine said in its statement.
“These have not only been directed at one of our own drivers, but also at members of the Formula 1 community, including the media, and at our racing counterparts whom we respect, admire and enjoy competing against at the highest level.”
“Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and, regardless of the result or outcome, nobody should be subjected to offensive and hateful comments.”
Alpine was also careful to stress that its condemnation was not aimed at one particular group of supporters.
“Condemning abuse on social media is not aimed at any specific fan base or at the supporters of one particular team or driver. It is a universal issue that must be called out and recognised by all fans of the sport.”
“As we have said on previous occasions, we strongly condemn the reaction of some fans online and stand in solidarity with Formula 1, the FIA and the other teams in wanting to put an end to this phenomenon.”
“It has become a recurring occurrence in recent races and cannot be tolerated. We know that, as proud participants in this sport, we have a responsibility to speak out and help find a solution.”
Alpine vows to work with Formula 1 and FIA on online abuse
Alpine concluded its statement by committing to work with Formula 1 and the FIA on possible measures to tackle the problem while protecting the competitive rivalry that forms part of the sport.
“We will continue to work closely with the Formula 1 championship organisers, the commercial rights holder and the governing body to discuss ways of tackling online abuse and encouraging the healthy sporting rivalry for which Formula 1 is so renowned and special.”
The statement follows another strong reaction from Briatore after the race. The Alpine boss had already said he was considering what action to take against Franco Colapinto internally after describing the Argentine’s braking error as “a very clumsy move from a driver of his experience”.
While the sporting consequences of the Baku collision have now been established by the FIA, Alpine has made clear that the abuse directed at drivers, teams, media and other members of the Formula 1 community is a separate issue that it believes cannot be tolerated.
