F1 drivers have to accept abuse - Russell
F1 drivers have to accept abuse - Russell
Mercedes driver George Russell has conceded F1 drivers have to "accept" abuse directed at them due to the current picture of world society.
F1 has been rattled by two racist events in the past week, with three-time champion Nelson Piquet banned by the sport for using a racial slur when describing Russell's team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
F2 driver Juri Vips had his Red Bull contract terminated after using a derogatory racial term during a gaming live stream, although has been handed a second chance by Hitech GP.
Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou revealed racist abuse directed towards him after he signed his first F1 contract, whilst McLaren's Lando Norris detailed abuse towards both himself and his girlfriend, including death threats.
When asked how he deals with the increased fame that comes with moving to a team with the profile of Mercedes, Russell conceded to also receiving abuse directed at himself.
"As your profile raises, there's a lot of positives that come with it, no doubt," remarked Russell. "But there are also a lot of downsides to it that also take a bit of readjusting.
"For the first time in Montréal, I had someone shout my name and boo at me.
"I was just sat in the car on the drivers' parade and it is quite a strange thing to comprehend that this 35-40-year-old guy is booing at me when I don't even know him.
"I try keeping myself to myself and try to do my best every single race I go to and try to put on a good show and try to be polite and pleasant.
"There are some things you need to get used to and just accept that this is unfortunately the world and the society we live in at the moment."
F1 must stamp out abuse
Online abuse has become a serious issue in the F1 world with Nicholas Latifi facing death threats after triggering the controversial safety car period at last season's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Targeting the booing an an "example of something that needs to be stamped out", Russell questioned: "What gives that guy the right to boo at anyone? What gives football fans the right to hurl abuse at the players?
"They are just doing their job and doing their best to have a career. That is what a lot of people don't really appreciate in this position."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
- 24 minutes ago
F1 legend issues DAMNING verdict on proposed rule change
- 1 hour ago
Red Bull chief admits interest in poaching TWO rival stars
- 2 hours ago
Audi agree LONG-TERM F1 deal with star driver
- 3 hours ago
FIA boss HITS OUT at 'court of public opinion' after interference allegations
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Horner reveals Verstappen SECRET as team reveal surprise name change
- Today 06:27
Related news
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
Fierce Hamilton F1 rival raises timing issue for Ferrari move
Wolff admits CHANGE of plan over Hamilton F1 replacement
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860