Franco Colapinto urges fans to help him stop online abuse
The F1 racer addressed Argentine fans’ aggressiveness on social media: ‘You are not helping me or my future’ La entrada Franco Colapinto urges fans to help him stop online abuse se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
Argentine Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto has called upon his fans to assist him in putting an end to online abuse directed at his rivals, his teammates, and other team staff. In a video posted on his Instagram account, the 23-year-old acknowledged feeling fortunate to have strong support from Argentine fans since the beginning of his career. However, he also addressed claims that Argentine fans were too aggressive on social media.
Colapinto explained that sometimes they cross the line, criticizing and attacking other drivers, colleagues, teammates, and even his mechanics and engineers, who he works with daily. He acknowledged that fans may think they are defending him, but emphasized that they are actually hindering his progress and future. He urged his fans to join him in changing this behavior, stating that it is a societal issue that needs improvement.
The relationship between Colapinto's fans and Formula 1 had been strained for some time. In 2025, former teammate Jack Doohan revealed that Argentine fans had abused him and his family, forcing him to hire private security after a fake Instagram story led to threats. Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda also faced racially charged messages on his Instagram after a controversial incident at the Emilia Romagna GP.
Alpine F1 team principal Flavio Briatore threatened a media blackout on Colapinto following teammate Pierre Gasly's accusations of social media abuse and threats. Gasly, who had faced extensive backlash after holding up Colapinto during a race, called for a line that should not be crossed to be respected. The issue reached FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who expressed his full support for Gasly and condemned the online abuse.
Colapinto's plea came after a series of controversies involving Argentine fans, including threats and racially charged messages targeting teammate Yuki Tsunoda and his family. The situation even led Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno to weigh in before McLaren's Lando Norris issued an apology to Colapinto.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
