Alpine, FIA condemn online abuse of Tsunoda at F1 Imola GP

The Alpine Formula 1 team and the FIA have condemned online abuse towards Yuki Tsunoda after a practice clash with Franco Colapinto at F1's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

Colapinto impeded several drivers in FP1 as he got back up to speed on his F1 return with Alpine, with Red Bull's Tsunoda gesticulating angrily at being blocked.

The clash was a typical Friday practice incident without any significance, but a subset of Argentinian fans still hurled abuse - some racially tinged - at Tsunoda on the Japanese driver's Instagram account.

Both before the weekend and after qualifying Colapinto urged his fans to treat other drivers with respect, and he added Tsunoda was "right" to be upset. His Alpine team and governing body the FIA have now also spoken out against the online abuse Tsunoda has received over the weekend from a small minority of fans.

"As an F1 team, we believe we are fortunate to be part of a global sport that evokes great passion and emotions, with an ever-growing community of fans who enthusiastically follow their favourite drivers' every move, whether it be a brave overtake on track or what style they are sporting when they arrive in the paddock," Alpine's statement read.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

"We encourage everyone to remember that behind the visor of these superhuman athletes there is a person, an individual with feelings, family, friends and loved ones.

"As a team, we cannot condone online abuse and urge all fans of this sport we love, to be kind and respectful."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has commissioned a campaign to tackle online abuse, said: "Motorsport is built on competition, passion, and commitment, and every race drivers take to the track representing these values. That passion and excitement that we feel for our sport should unite us and never be twisted into abuse or hate.

"I stand in full support of Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto, and I thank them for speaking out against the growing issue of online abuse in motorsport."

Over the weekend, Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan - who made way for Colapinto at Imola - also had to urge fans to stop harassing him and his family.

A social media parody account falsely portrayed his father Mick appearing to mock Colapinto's qualifying crash, which was spread by various news outlets and triggered the latest wave of abuse Doohan has received over the past five months.