FIA release strong statement on F1 abuse and hate speech

The FIA have released a strong statement on online abuse and hate speech, calling out two specific incidents involving F1 drivers.

Jack Doohan and Yuki Tsunoda were the subjects of abuse on social media after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, particularly from fans of a certain rival driver.

At the time, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem issued a statement condemning the abuse, and pointing to the FIA's United Against Online Abuse campaign.

However, since then, a number of F1 journalists have spoken out about their experience of online abuse, with Lee McKenzie and Sky Sports' Rachel Brookes both being subject to abuse on social media in recent weeks.

Now, the FIA's latest statement - on International Day of Countering Hate Speech - has talked about protecting journalists, and drivers, from the horrors of online abuse.

"Today marks the International Day of Countering Hate Speech," the official statement posted to Instagram read. "The FIA United Against Online Abuse campaign is committed to protecting athletes, officials, journalists, fans, and everyone involved in sport. "With new research, education programmes, and continued advocacy, we are taking strides in the right direction. In 2024 alone, we have welcomed five scholars to our community, published our industry-leading barometer, grown our community by 184% and boosted awareness through collaborations with events and governments. "But there is still work to do. Recent cases - like the online abuse against Yuki Tsunoda and Jack Doohan - show us that we must keep driving action in this space to protect athletes and ensure the sporting ecosystem is safe and inclusive for all."

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Drivers facing increased levels of abuse

Tsunoda was subject to vile racist abuse after an incident involving Colapinto during practice in Imola, with both drivers acknowledging and condemning the abuse.

Doohan, meanwhile, had threats made against his family after being replaced by Colapinto at Alpine, with a fake image allegedly showing Doohan's father Mick laughing at a Colapinto crash doing the rounds on social media, with the account that posted the image apologising and revealing that it was a completely doctored image in the aftermath.

The Aussie driver told trolls to leave him and his family alone, but the ticking time bomb of social media in 2025 has unfortunately made abuse against drivers, journalists and other paddock personnel more common.

The FIA have been stern in their response, and are hoping that their United Against Online Abuse campaign will begin to counter the issue, calling on social media platforms to do more to protect people from abuse.

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