F1 drivers and teams disgusted by abusive spectators

F1 said prior to Sunday's race that it had received reports from fans who had been verbally abused, without giving further details. While GrandPrix247 can report that a fight broke out between fans on Saturday night, with ugly scenes and fighting erupting between different factions camping at the venue.

Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton was upset when he heard about what had taken place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg: "It just highlights that it's still an issue all over, it comes down to education and, of course, ignorance.

"People should come, should feel safe, should feel included and should be able to follow whoever it is you want to follow. (It) shouldn't matter (about) your gender, your sexuality, the colour of your skin. It should just be everyone here to have a good time," added Hamilton.

Before the race on Sunday, F1 issued the following statement: "We have been made aware of reports that some fans have been subject to completely unacceptable comments by others at the Austrian Grand Prix.

"We take these matters very seriously, have raised them with the promoter and event security, and will be speaking to those who reported the incidents."

This weekend Red Bull Ring was sold out with more than 300,000 fans attending over three days; 105,000 on race day alone with an estimated 50,000 making the trip from Holland to support Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman said: "These things shouldn't happen. I read a few things, a few shocking things, so that's clearly not OK, I think there should be a general understanding that these shouldn't happen."

"One thing can be improved with security around places, keep people more in check," suggested Verstappen.

"Sometimes when you drink alcohol you can do stupid things. I don't say this as an excuse, but these things can be regulated. There's a certain amount of alcohol maybe."

Race winner Charles Leclerc said people have a duty to be vigilant toward others: "I believe that as a community, people who are witnessing any type of harassment should act and do something

"If we manage to find these people we need to take hard action, they shouldn't be allowed to be anywhere close to our sport," added the Ferrari driver.

Christian Horner added: "We are shocked to hear that there have been some incidents of abusive behaviour in the grandstands and the fan parks.

"This is completely unacceptable and we hope that security and the authorities deal with this swiftly as there is no place for it in racing or society," added the Red Bull team principal.

Ferrari wrote on Twitter: "There is no room for abuse either verbal or physical against any group of people in sport. Therefore we stand together with @F1 in stating that this behavior is completely unacceptable."