Formula 1 paddock unites behind FIA campaign to tackle online abuse

The initiative, led by FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, brought together Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Haas driver Esteban Ocon, Alpine's Franco Colapinto and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown as part of a global awareness campaign aimed at promoting safer online spaces.

Ben Sulayem said: “Online abuse undermines our competitions and endangers our athletes, officials, and fans. It erodes the very spirit of sport. But together, we can change that.”

The campaign follows a series of high-profile incidents involving Formula 1 drivers and sought to highlight the impact online abuse has across the wider motorsport community.

Antonelli stressed that competitors should not be treated differently because of their public profile: “Even if we’re professional athletes, we’re still humans. It doesn’t mean because we’re public figures, that we deserve online abuse.”

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Alonso called for supporters to respect everyone involved in the sport, regardless of team loyalties: “It doesn’t matter if you’re in a different team or you support different colours, all of them deserve respect. Together, we can make the sport and the world a better place. We need to work all together on this.”

Ocon, who was subjected to online abuse following this year's Japanese Grand Prix, warned: “If you start accepting that [online abuse], you accept that this is reality, this is normality, and that is not the case."

The campaign extended throughout the Silverstone weekend, with United Against Online Abuse branding featured on interview backdrops, in parc fermé and across fan engagement activities to reinforce the message that everyone has a role to play in creating a more respectful online environment.

Broadcaster Natalie Pinkham encouraged fans to challenge abusive behaviour whenever they encounter it: “Be disruptive in this space, don’t be afraid to call stuff out, like if it doesn’t feel right when you read it, call it out."

McLaren boss Brown also urged supporters to help foster a more positive online culture: “I think a great way for the fans and the community to get involved is to stand up for it as well. The more positive news we get, the more that will bury those that are spreading hate.”

Founded in 2023 by H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) coalition is an award-winning global initiative dedicated to combatting online abuse in sport through policy advocacy, collaboration, and collective action.

The Coalition is endorsed by more than 75 governments, sports organisations, academic institutions and technology organisations, including FIM, IFAF, IFSO, ARISF and its 40 member federations, UNESCO, Peace and Sport, and 13 national governments. The UAOA initiative is supported by the FIA Foundation and co-funded by the European Union.