Formula 1 organizers said they have launched an investigation into reports of “unacceptable” harassment by some fans at Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Social media posts complained of gender and racist slurs at an event hosted by the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Formula One said in a statement that it has received “reports that some fans have been subjected to completely unacceptable comments from others at this event.”
“We have raised this issue with the promoter and security team and we will talk to those who reported these incidents and they are taking them very seriously,” the statement said. “This kind of behavior is unacceptable and unacceptable and all fans should be treated with respect,” he added.
Approximately 50,000 Dutch fans, most of them wearing “orange army” shirts (after the royal flag of the Netherlands), came to Spielberg to support world champion Max Verstappen, who takes the lead on Sunday. The behavior of some Red Bull fans was already called into question on Friday, when uproar erupted after the cars of British Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell left the track in qualifying.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff criticized this behavior, as well as how Verstappen received hoots at Silverstone during last week’s British Grand Prix. “It’s not very sporty,” Wolff said on Saturday. “Fans applaud when a driver has an accident, you have to question the behavior and understanding of this sport.” “When they boo you, it’s not good either. We fight as teams, but booing is a personal attack on the rider. The fans should put themselves in the same position.”