Alpine driver Franco Colapinto has claimed that "no one ever talks about" how he also receives massive amounts of social media abuse following the fallout from his crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The incident occurred during a safety car restart at Baku last weekend, when Franco Colapinto locked up heavily into Turn 1, colliding with his Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris.
Franco Colapinto in the paddock
The crash prompted an angry reaction from Lando Norris, who initially called for race bans for drivers causing such pile-ups. That triggered a wave of social media abuse aimed at the reigning champion, largely coming from Franco Colapinto's passionate Argentine fanbase.
Consequently, Alpine issued a statement condemning the online hatred—marking the fourth time the team has done so since Franco Colapinto joined. However, the 23-year-old emphasized that he is not exempt from abuse and that the problem extends far beyond his own fanbase.
"My message is always the same," he said at Sepang. "Sometimes they don't realize what you can create by writing on your keyboard. We are all humans. It's not easy for us when we get these kinds of things."
Franco Colapinto with Alpine
Franco Colapinto noted that while many abusive messages come from Argentina, hate also originates worldwide and from various other fanbases. He stressed that nobody ever talks about the abuse directed at him.
Following the incident, Lando Norris apologized for his comments, though he unfortunately also became a target of heavy online backlash. Franco Colapinto noted that drivers need to work together and be careful with their words, especially in the heat of the moment.
Franco Colapinto currently sits 12th in the drivers' championship standings with 27 points, while Alpine holds 6th place in the constructors' standings with 68 points.
Source: Motorsport
