In Monaco, Franco Colapinto addressed the issue of online hate and social media abuse after his fans targeted multiple drivers.
Since stepping into F1, Franco Colapinto has always been surrounded by passionate support. Lately, however, that passion has crossed the line, to the point where the Argentine now finds himself having to rein in his own fans who, on social media, have gone so far as to engage in outright abuse.
The Alpine driver has threatened to ban his fans from social media, admitting that some of his supporters can be aggressive toward his fellow drivers.
The Argentine only resumed his role as a full-time driver last weekend, but aside from on-track activity, he’s also been involved in off-track incidents. Two separate online episodes, one involving Yuki Tsunoda and the other the Doohan family, have brought the issue of social media hate in the F1 world into the spotlight.
“It happens, we’re athletes and we have to focus on what we can control. There are things outside our control that we can’t change, like the respect people show others and what those people do, and I do my best to try to ban the people I can control a little more, like my fans,” Colapinto said.
“So we’re working on it. I know there are exaggerated reactions, and they’re very passionate, but they’re also very euphoric, and some are a bit aggressive. That’s the reality. From my side, I try to do my best. I know a lot of people are receiving criticism. Me too. So there are things we need to put out of our minds when we’re on track and just focus on driving.”
Criticism of Tsunoda
The first incident saw Yuki Tsunoda targeted online by angry Franco Colapinto fans after a minor episode between the two during free practice at Imola.
Before the Monaco Grand Prix, Franco Colapinto defended the Red Bull driver, saying he would have reacted the same way if the situation were reversed. “But, like in Yuki’s case, I would’ve felt really bad if someone had blocked me like I did with Yuki, so honestly, he’s absolutely right to be upset,” he said.
“He was angry, just as I would’ve been if someone had blocked me like that. And I understand. I think he did the right thing—it’s really awful to see him receive hate for it.”
And toward Doohan
Later, a fake social media post mimicking Jack Doohan’s father, Mick, went viral. The post showed a still image of Colapinto’s Alpine crashed during Imola qualifying, with the caption “very impressive” and several laughing and crying emojis.
This triggered a wave of insults toward the Doohan family, and Franco Colapinto also condemned the harassment on social media. Since then, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Alpine have released statements addressing the issue of online hate.
“I try to control it as much as I can, but it’s out of my hands,” Franco Colapinto said about the incident. “I never like seeing negative comments, negative messages to our drivers. I don’t even like seeing negative comments or messages directed at me. So I’m pretty much in the same situation, and it’s never pleasant, you know?
“Of course, they have every right to write what they feel and what they want, but always with respect and a clear line not to be crossed.”
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