(Spielberg bei Knittelfeld) The Formula 1 promoter has begun to examine behavior deemed “unacceptable” by supporters present at the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend around the Spielberg circuit.
Posted at 9:03 a.m.
Many messages on social networks report sexist, racist and homophobic insults, in particular towards the pilots and between fans, around the Red Bull Ring, property of the Austrian energy drink giant and the eponymous F1 team.
In a statement released on Sunday morning, Formula One said it had been made aware that “some fans have been subjected to completely unacceptable comments from other fans” since the first practice on Friday.
“We talked to the promoter about it. [local] and security services. We will speak to those who have reported these incidents and we take this very seriously. This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All fans should be treated with respect,” Formula One stresses.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, very committed to the fight against racism, reacted to this behavior by saying on Instagram on Sunday “disgusted to learn that some supporters are confronted with racist, homophobic and generally aggressive behavior on the circuit this weekend.
SCREENSHOT
“Please, if you see this happening, report it to circuit security and on @f1. We cannot stand idly by and let this continue,” added the first black champion in F1 history.
Almost 50,000 Dutch fans, most of them dressed in orange, came as they do every year to support their hero, world champion Max Verstappen, who races for Red Bull. Some booed and whistled the two Mercedes drivers, Britons Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, when they came off the track during qualifying.
Hamilton, as well as the boss of the Mercedes team, the Austrian Toto Wolff, also criticized this behavior as well as that of the British fans who whistled and booed Verstappen a fortnight ago, on the Silverstone circuit, during the GP of Britain.
“It’s not very sporting,” regretted Wolff on Saturday. “When fans cheer if a driver has an accident, you wonder if they are aware of their attitude and understand the sport well,” he added.
For Wolff, “Booing a driver isn’t good either, because it’s a personal attack. The supporters [qui huent] should put themselves in the driver’s shoes.