Formula 1 on Sunday said that it is investigating reports of racist, sexist and homophobic slurs used by fans at the Austria GP. The racing authority called the behaviour ‘completely unacceptable’, annoucing that the issue has been raised with the promoter.
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The Austrian GP, which takes place in Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring, was packed with an estimated 50,000 Dutch fans. A majority of them, like every year, were dressed up in ‘Orange Army’ t-shirts, and supported reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver did not disappoint them by taking the pole after winning Saturday’s sprint race.
However, reports of slurs used by these fans for other drivers emerged on social media. Some spectators complained that they were harassed.
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“We have been made aware of reports that some fans have been subject to completely unacceptable comments by others at the event,” F1 said in a statement.
“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. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and all fans should be treated with respect.”
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“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 continued.
The behavour of some supporters was already in question Friday after they cheered as Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell crashed in qualifying.
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton criticised the behaviour.
“It’s not very sportsmanlike. Fans cheering when a driver crashes out, you should question the attitude and understanding of sport. Booing is not good either,” Wolff had said on Saturday.
“As teams we fight, but booing is a personal attack on a driver. Fans should put themselves in the same position.”