As Crash.net reports, Alpine has stepped forward with an official statement to condemn the severe online abuse directed at Lando Norris after the McLaren driver called for Franco Colapinto to receive a race ban following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The trouble started during Saturday’s eventful race in Baku, where an incident involving Alpine driver Colapinto triggered a three-car collision that took out himself, team-mate Pierre Gasly, and Norris. Following the race, reigning world champion Norris stated that Colapinto deserved a race ban for the crash.
That remark unleashed a torrent of online abuse on Norris, with his social media channels bombarded by comments coming largely from Argentinian fans of Colapinto. In response to the wave of hate, Alpine released a team statement addressing the situation directly.
“As a team, we feel it’s necessary to speak out once more about the hate and abuse online following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix,” Alpine stated, emphasizing that the hostility was aimed not only at one of their own drivers, but also at members of the Formula One community, media, and competing teams.
“Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and no matter the result or outcome, nobody should be subject to hateful or abusive comments,” the team continued. Alpine made it clear that their condemnation was not targeted at any single fan base, calling the issue universal and stating that it has become a regular occurrence in recent races.
The squad added that they stand in solidarity with Formula One, the FIA, and other teams to stamp out the behavior, noting that they will work alongside the championship promoter, rights-holder, and governing body to find ways to tackle online abuse and encourage healthy sporting rivalry.
This is not the first flashpoint involving fan behavior around the team recently. Alpine executive Flavio Briatore previously threatened an Argentinian media blackout for Colapinto after online abuse from supporters was directed at team-mate Gasly.
For his part in the on-track incident, Colapinto accepted full responsibility, offering an apology to Alpine, Norris, and Gasly. He will serve a five-place grid penalty at the next race.
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