Colapinto urges fans to stop online abuse after Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Speaking to RacingNews365 and other reporters after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Colapinto said people posting hostile messages often fail to consider their effect on those receiving them. Drivers are vulnerable too, he said, and the abuse can be hard to bear.

RacingNews365 reported his comments on 1 October after a first-corner mistake in Baku that it said put Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris out of the race. The outlet said Norris initially called for Colapinto to be suspended before backing away from that position.

Colapinto pushed back against blaming Argentine supporters alone. He said many strongly support him, although some go too far, and argued that hostility comes from fan groups around the world. He said he receives many abusive messages himself but rarely looks at social media, adding that he believes other drivers and athletes are affected more deeply.

Colapinto said drivers should avoid fuelling hostility but have limited power to change the situation. He said he had been raising the issue since last year and hoped it would improve.