The unruly behavior of F1 spectators has no place in Grand Prix races
After the incidents during the Austrian Grand Prix involving the fans, particularly those of Verstappen and Red Bull, questions arise about how fans and spectators should behave in the stands and around the circuit.
With the documentary on Netflix Drive to Survive, Formula 1 has gained popularity as well as viewers. By delving into the backstage, fans become attached to certain drivers and become supporters.
Supporters’ clans are forming and some groups of aficionados are traveling in large numbers to events like Austria, Spain for example, but also most likely to the Netherlands, to support the local hero, Max Verstappen, reigning Formula 1 world champion.
The 2021 season witnessed an unprecedented duel between Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. With an epic finale that will be forever etched in the annals of sports, tensions among supporters only grew stronger.
During one of the recent Grand Prix races, in Austria, incidents occurred not only in the grandstands but also outside the stands, around the circuit. Some fans then testified on social media to have been victims of racist insults or verbal abuse. Some videos even show hateful behavior from certain supporters, burning items such as caps.
Max Verstappen’s fans yet again burning Lewis Hamilton’s cap.
This really looks like a KKK or some satanic ritual. Hopefully alk Mercedes and Lewis fans (and other fans what ever team they support) will be safe there.
This is sick #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/zyQguA1XHu— Unicorn🦄 (@hamburgerh0tdog) July 29, 2022
After these incidents, pilots, including Max Verstappen, spoke out and expressed their outrage at such behavior. It is of course unacceptable. I mean, these individuals… I do not agree with it because it’s simply disgusting, stated the driver after his victory on the track. These videos, or this video, of burned merchandise, I find it disgusting.
He added afterwards that most of the spectators still applauded the runners despite the few individuals who disrupted the show.
The CEO of Formula 1 also spoke out about the incidents that have multiplied.
“There is no place for idiots in the stands. We don’t want to give them any space. Even though we are a sport and there is competition, you must always be respectful,” emphasized Stefano Domenicali.
This duel between two teams and two drivers has therefore deteriorated into the behavior of each team’s fans. The drivers themselves have struggled to show peace towards each other. The attitudes of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the ceremonies remained cold. It was only recently, in France and then in Hungary, that we were able to see embraces between the two drivers. This awareness and these images may help appease the behavior of some fans.
A campaign has also been launched to advocate against this kind of behavior in the stands during Grand Prix and on social media. It has been named “Drive it out”.
