F1 launches investigation over fans harassment in Austria Grand Prix
F1 says that it had been made aware of reports that some fans have been subject to sexist and racist comments during the Austrian Grand Prix.
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Posts on social media complained of sexist and racist slurs at the sold-out event at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring (Credits: Formula One)
Formula One confirmed that it is investigating reports of "unacceptable" harassment reported by some fans attending the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
Posts on social media complained of sexist and racist slurs at the sold-out event at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring.
In a statement on Sunday, F1 said that it had been made aware of "reports that some fans have been subject to completely unacceptable comments by others at the event."
"We have raised this with the promoter and security and will be speaking to those who have reported these incidents and are taking this very seriously," the statement pointed out.
F1 affirmed that "This kind of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and all fans should be treated with respect."
Mercedes team boss criticizes fans cheering drivers' crash
An estimated 50,000 Dutch fans have descended on Spielberg to support world champion Max Verstappen.
The behavior of some of the Red Bull driver's supporters was already called into question on Friday when cheers roared after Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell crashed.
This was the crash that Lewis Hamilton had 😢
— Mercedes - AMG F1 News (@MercedesAMGUK) July 8, 2022
He was definitely going for pole or Top 3
Radio Communication:-
📻 | Lewis Hamilton: “So sorry guys, so so sorry for damaging the car.”
📻 | Marcus: “Yea, that lap looked to be on course for P2, P3.”
pic.twitter.com/BDb8OSW7VL
Both Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff criticized that behavior, as well as the booing that Verstappen had received at Silverstone the previous weekend.
"It's not very sportsmanlike," Wolff had said on Saturday, pointing out that "Fans cheering when a driver crashes out, you should question the attitude and understanding of sport."
"Booing is not good either," mentioned Wolff, explaining that "As teams we fight, but booing is a personal attack on a driver. Fans should put themselves in the same position."
