Formula 1 online abuse
Pierre Gasly reveals that he and his family received threats from fans.
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Key Points
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Gasly’s strategy left him on hard tires for 55 laps, and a late Safety Car that never materialized forced a costly green-flag pit stop. He ultimately finished 12th and also received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
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Colapinto repeatedly asked Alpine to swap its drivers during the race because he feared Piastri would catch him, but the team did not issue the order. Gasly later said, “There wasn’t a call for an actual swap,” adding that the matter had been fully discussed internally.
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Gasly’s own frustration was evident over team radio during the incident, when he told race engineer Josh Peckett: “Don’t even talk to me. Radio over.”
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Colapinto said he had not personally seen the messages because he is not active on social media, but said it was “never nice” for Gasly to receive them, particularly because the abuse involved a teammate and the Alpine team. He emphasized that the drivers get on well and share the goal of improving Alpine’s results.
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Gasly placed the episode within a wider pattern of Formula 1 abuse, citing attacks experienced by Yuki Tsunoda and abuse directed at Gasly himself after the stewards’ penalty at Zandvoort. He said the sport should pay greater attention to the words posted online.
Pierre Gasly received abuse and threats from Franco Colapinto fans after a racing incident at the Spanish Grand Prix, with the attacks extending to his girlfriend and family members Motorsport Week. Gasly finished 12th after a strategy gamble backfired, but the post-race fallout proved far more troubling — the French driver called the online harassment "disturbing" and said Formula 1 must do more to stop personal attacks TSN.
A Pit Strategy That Left Gasly Stuck Behind
Gasly started his first stint on hard tires, a choice that forced him to run 55 laps before pitting. When a late Safety Car never materialized, he had to stop for fresh rubber under green flag conditions Motorsport Week. The pit stop came too late to help. He took a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane and finished 12th F1i.
Colapinto Wanted a Swap, Alpine Said No
Franco Colapinto repeatedly radioed Alpine asking for a driver swap during the race. He feared Oscar Piastri would catch him and cost him seventh place. The team refused to issue the order Motorsport Week. Gasly later said there was no actual swap call and that he and Colapinto had fully discussed the matter internally with Alpine.
Fans Target Gasly's Family With Online Attacks
Gasly and his family, including his girlfriend, received threatening messages and abuse from some Colapinto supporters after the race Yahoo Sports. The attacks crossed a line from typical fan criticism into personal harassment. Gasly said the sport must pay greater attention to the impact of online words TSN.
Colapinto acknowledged the abuse but said he is not active on social media and had not personally seen the messages TSN. He expressed support for his teammate, saying "it was never nice" for Gasly to receive them. Colapinto emphasized the drivers get along well and share the goal of improving Alpine F1i.
Alpine Boss Threatens Media Blackout Over Abuse
Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor, warned that the team could shut down Colapinto's access to Argentinian media if the abuse continues Motorsport Week. Briatore called the harassment unacceptable and said it threatens the team's relationship with fans in Argentina. The threat signals Alpine's willingness to take firm action F1i.
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