Online hate from Formula 1 fans: Strong words from GP star Franco Colapinto

The fact that some of Franco Colapinto’s fans cross the line of good taste when defending their hero online has already been felt by a number of his opponents, race officials and even members of his own team. The online hate speech spread by some of the Argentine’s supporters continues to make headlines. Now, the Formula 1 star has responded with a clear message on social media.

In a video message, Colapinto says: “Hello everyone! There’s something very important I’ve needed to talk to you about for a while now. Perhaps I should have done this sooner, and it’s something we need to address – something that needs to change and improve.”

“I’ll always be grateful to you and feel incredibly lucky that you’ve all supported me right from the start. I’m grateful for all the support you give me, for how you help me achieve results, and for constantly spurring me on to aim for higher goals. You help me and the team achieve our results – race by race, day by day – whilst we train and try to improve. And for that, I am grateful to you with all my heart. “I know you’re incredibly proud when things are going well and I’m scoring points for myself and the team,” says the 23-year-old, expressing his gratitude for the passionate support of his fans.

Franco Colapinto knows: “Sometimes it goes too far”

At the same time, the Alpine driver makes it clear: “But sometimes it goes too far. Instead of supporting me, other people end up being criticised and other drivers attacked – my team-mates, my mechanics, my engineers – people I work with every day. I know you think you’re defending me, but in reality you’re achieving the exact opposite. You’re helping neither me nor my future.”

The wrath of Colapinto’s fans has already been directed at a number of regulars in the paddock; Jack Doohan, for example, was attacked at the start of the 2025 season, and Yuki Tsunoda was also subjected to vile abuse. This year, it was initially the stewards who faced online hate campaigns when they handed the Buenos Aires-born driver a penalty at Zandvoort, before his team-mate Pierre Gasly felt the brunt of the Argentine fans’ “disturbing” behaviour. In Baku, World Champion Lando Norris then became the target of online hate attacks after the McLaren star had voiced strong criticism of Colapinto for having forced him off the track.

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Colapinto also announced that he himself would now be taking a break from social media, at least for the time being. “Some time ago, I made the decision to take a break from social media and focus on what really matters to me: my dream, my sporting career and working with the team to achieve the desired results and goals.”