SPIELBERG, Austria – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says a lifetime ban should be issued to “brainless” abusive fans after a number of incidents among attendees at the Red Bull Ring caused overshadowed the Austrian Grand Prix.
Multiple accounts against homophobic, racist or sexist abuse were shared by fans on social media in the run-up to the race.
F1 condemns abuse in a pre-race statement and said he will discuss with the organizers to find a solution in the future.
Mercedes boss Wolff has given the clearest message yet of what he thinks of the fans in question.
“F — off,” Wolff said Sunday night. “If you’re part of that genre, f — off.”
“We just have to target these guys and pick out and say ‘you’. This is what Formula One said and we said and you need to report it to security if you can. And any who read my sentence: stay away, we don’t want you if you’re a member of that group.”
Several victims of abuse were invited to the pre-race training ground.
Mercedes organized a garage tour for a Lewis Hamilton fans published accounts of abuse on her on Twitter.
She wrote: “I put on a dress yesterday and a group of 5 Dutch fans lifted my skirt and when I confronted them they said no Hamilton fan is worth it. Respect all.”
The Austrian Grand Prix is a popular race for Dutch fans who make the journey south from the Netherlands in favor of the reigning world champion. Max VerstappenHamilton’s 2021 title rival.
Campgrounds stretch around the Red Bull Ring and the atmosphere of the race is often likened to a music festival.
Verstappen said drinking too much alcohol may have contributed to the abuse.
“One thing could be improved with security to keep everyone in control,” says Verstappen. “It’s not an excuse, but they watch the races and then they come back and party and have fun and drink.
“Sometimes when you drink, you can do stupid things – I’m not saying this as an excuse. These things can be adjusted.
“A certain amount of alcohol can be until bedtime and waking up the next morning and sober again. Because if you start going crazy, you can do stupid things.”
Wolff said F1 must not tarnish its entire fan base based on the behavior of a minority group, pointing out that Hamilton received a warm welcome on the podium after finishing in No. father.
“I think it’s just people being stupid,” he said. “I have no other explanation for how abusive people are – in any way, sexist, hedonistic, homophobic or racist – you are simply retarded. And No alcohol can excuse that.
“Sports and emotional controversies, we want that. We shouldn’t condemn all of them, but we should get rid of these idiots. We must not be viewed as if we are condemning one. a bunch of fans, because we weren’t, saw them climb the fence and when Lewis stood up, I looked at them and nobody booed, and they were very upset and drinking and still no booing any.
“There are a few amoebas – those with one cell – but let’s not take that as a general thing.”
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel shared Wolff’s view that any fan found to be abusing others should be kicked out of the event and not allowed to return.
“Terrible isn’t it?” Vettel said. “I thought it was good that this thing came out, it was the beginning, but it was horrible.
“Whoever these people are, they should be ashamed of themselves and they should be banned from racing for their lives.
“I think there should be no tolerance. If people have a good time and drink too much it’s okay, but that doesn’t justify or excuse misconduct.
“We race as one, so the fans are part of that.”
Hamilton, who has pledged up to £20 million to charities and initiatives around promoting diversity in racing, said the Austrian Grand Prix is an example of where action is needed instead. just statements of condemnation.
“It goes back to some of the messages we’ve talked about about the things we need to do here in the sport as well,” Hamilton said on Sunday night. “These are more committed to diversity and inclusion in our industry, because they reflect the direction we plan to go, and it often also reflects what our fan base looks like.” how.
“But it’s time for action. ‘We Race As One’ is great and good but it’s just words, it doesn’t really do anything, doesn’t sponsor anything. No show actually does. change and spark that conversation. We definitely need to use platforms but we really have to step up and start doing some of the things we’re talking about. That is unacceptable is not enough.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “I think with regard to these isolated incidents that have occurred, it is clear that we do not tolerate any form of abuse or bullying or racism. , prejudice of any kind.
“We are in absolute solidarity with every member of the Formula 1 community on that. I was delighted to hear on the podium today, certainly from where I stand, there was no booing for Lewis. Respect all riders, that’s the way it should be.”
Fan behavior had been a talking point the previous weekend, with Hamilton criticizing fans who cheered for his heavy crash in qualifying, when he indicates that he may have been seriously hurt.
So does Hamilton criticized Silverstone fans last week for booing Verstappen at one point during the preparations for his hometown race, the British Grand Prix.
