Was there any unacceptable behavior from fans at the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend? This is what the promoter of the competition will try to elucidate after numerous messages on social networks reporting sexist, racist and homophobic insults, in particular towards the pilots and between fans.
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 10, 2022
In a statement issued on Sunday morning, Formula One said it had been made aware that “some fans have been subjected to completely unacceptable comments from other fans” since the first practice on Friday. “We have spoken to the (local) promoter and security services. We will speak to those who have reported these incidents and we take this very seriously. This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All fans must be treated with respect,” said Formula One.
Hamilton and Russell (Mercedes) booed
Nearly 50,000 Dutch fans, most of them dressed in orange, came, like every year, to support their hero, world champion Max Verstappen who races for Red Bull. Some booed and whistled the two Mercedes drivers, Britons Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, when they ran off the track during qualifying.
“It’s not very sporty”
Hamilton, as well as the boss of the Mercedes team, the Austrian Toto Wolff, also criticized this behavior as well as that of the British fans who whistled and booed Verstappen, two weeks ago, on the Silverstone circuit, during the Grand Prix of Britain. “It’s not very sporting,” regretted Wolff on Saturday. “When fans cheer if a driver has an accident, one wonders if they are aware of their attitude and understand this sport well,” he added.
Finally, it was the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) who won this Sunday on the Spielberg circuit.