Fernando Alonso and his Alpine team have condemned online abuse of FIA-appointed Formula 1 race steward Silvia Bellot after he was penalised during the United States Grand Prix and reinstated this week.
Bellot, a fellow Spaniard Spanish and the only female steward at the race in Austin, is carrying out the role again in Mexico City this weekend. Renault-owned Alpine reported on Twitter they were “disappointed to learn of the unacceptable harassment”.
Alonso, who finished seventh in Austin last Sunday but was demoted to 15th after a Haas protest and then restored to the position after a further review in Mexico on Thursday, posted on Instagram.
We are disappointed to learn of the unacceptable harassment aimed at FIA Race Steward, Silvia Bellot.
There is no room for any form of harassment or abuse in our sport and we condemn this behaviour.
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) October 29, 2022
“I strongly condemn the recent online abuse which has been directed at FIA race steward Silvia Bellot,” he wrote.
“This type of hateful behaviour is unacceptable in sport and society. It is particularly deplorable that these comments are aimed at one of our sport’s volunteers and officials.”
Alonso had his United States Grand Prix points reinstated after stewards found race control gave rivals Haas the wrong advice about a deadline for making a protest. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)