Colapinto: Online abuse must stop, but it's not just my fans

Franco Colapinto insists it is not only his fans who are guilty of online hate and abuse after Pierre Gasly and his loved ones were recently targeted, but is adamant that it needs to stop.

Why it matters:

The backlash highlights a toxic fan culture in F1, with Colapinto's passionate fanbase previously linked to harassment.

The Details:

• The storm began when Alpine refused to order Gasly aside during the Spanish GP, despite his heavily degraded tyres and a mandatory pit stop still to come. Colapinto, on fresher rubber, was stuck behind as Oscar Piastri closed in, and his furious radio demands went unanswered.
• Gasly eventually pitted, dropped to P12 with a penalty, while Colapinto took seventh. Gasly later called the abuse directed at him and his family 'disturbing' and 'completely inappropriate.'
• Colapinto defended his fans but acknowledged the broader problem: 'It's not just my fans. I've got some very passionate ones.' He said he and Gasly get on well and share the same goal, and noted previous incidents involving Yuki Tsunoda, Jack Doohan, and Zandvoort stewards.

What's next:

Colapinto urged supporters to channel their passion positively. 'The way to support us is to push the team forward and stay strong together,' he said. Alpine now heads to Azerbaijan.