Fan Frenzy At Austrian Gp: A Recap

The 2022 Austrian Grand Prix was marred by reports of fan abuse, with Formula One launching an investigation into allegations of racist, homophobic, and misogynistic abuse. Female spectators reported being subjected to inappropriate touching, catcalling, and sexist comments. Lewis Hamilton expressed his disgust at the situation, and Sebastian Vettel called for abusive fans to be banned from future races. Max Verstappen, whose supporters made up the majority of the crowd, condemned the incidents and suggested greater security and more regulation of alcohol sales. F1 and race organizers pledged to take action to ensure that races are safe and inclusive for all fans.

Fans cheering Hamilton's crash

During the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton crashed into the wall during qualifying on Friday. The seven-time world champion lost control on Turn 7, crashing into the barriers with a force that damaged the car's survival cell—the final layer of protection for a driver. While Hamilton was unharmed, fans in the grandstand, many supporting Hamilton's 2021 title rival, Max Verstappen, erupted in celebration.

Hamilton, who was stunned by the fans' reaction, said:

> "I didn't hear them cheering; I was going through a bunch of stuff in the crash. But to hear it afterwards, I don't agree or condone that. A driver could be in [the] hospital and you are going to cheer that? It's just mind-blowing that people would do that, knowing how dangerous our sport is. I'm grateful that I wasn't in [the] hospital and I wasn't heavily injured. You should never cheer someone's downfall, someone's injury, or crash."

Hamilton also took issue with fans at Silverstone, who booed Verstappen and cheered when he slowed during the race. The Briton emphasised that such behaviour is unacceptable, regardless of who it is directed towards.

> "It shouldn't have happened at Silverstone, even though it wasn't obviously a crash, and it shouldn't have happened here."

Verstappen, who won the Austrian Grand Prix, also commented on the fans' behaviour, saying:

> "The booing is a personal attack on the driver. [...] I don't think that's right. So hopefully, we can talk sense. We love the fans, we want them to be there, we want them to be emotional and passionate, but maybe when it gets personal, that shouldn't happen."

Racist abuse

The Austrian Grand Prix in 2022 was marred by reports of racist abuse by fans, prompting an investigation by Formula One. A number of fans took to social media to report the use of racist, homophobic, and sexist slurs, as well as catcalling and other abusive comments. One female spectator wrote on Twitter: "I got a misogynistic comment, and afterwards it went downhill with inappropriate touching and many more misogynistic comments."

Lewis Hamilton expressed his disgust at the reports, stating that attending the Austrian Grand Prix or any Grand Prix should never be a source of anxiety for fans. He added that something must be done to ensure that races are safe spaces for all and that such behaviour cannot be tolerated.

Formula One released a statement saying that they had been made aware of the reports and that such behaviour was "completely unacceptable" and would not be tolerated. They also stated that they had raised the issue with the promoter and security and would be speaking to those who reported the incidents.

In response to the reports, some teams invited those who suffered abuse to be their paddock guests. Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion, said that abusive fans should be banned from future races, stating that they should be "ashamed of themselves." Max Verstappen, whose supporters made up the majority of those in attendance, also condemned the behaviour and suggested greater security and more regulation of alcohol sales.

While the behaviour of a minority should not reflect on the majority of fans, it is clear that there is a need for stronger measures to be put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all spectators.

Homophobic abuse

The Austrian Grand Prix in 2022 was marred by reports of homophobic abuse, along with sexist and racist abuse, from fans. Formula One released a statement saying that this behaviour was "completely unacceptable" and would "not be tolerated".

Several fans posted on social media about the homophobic abuse they experienced at the event. One female spectator wrote on Twitter: "I got a misogynistic comment, and afterwards it went downhill with inappropriate touching and many more misogynistic comments." Another fan, who was invited into the Mercedes garage, alleged that her skirt was lifted by other spectators. She was also told that she "didn't deserve respect" because she was a Hamilton fan.

Lewis Hamilton expressed his disgust at the reports of homophobic abuse, saying that attending the Austrian Grand Prix or any Grand Prix should "never be a source of anxiety and pain for fans". He also urged people to report any incidents to circuit security and F1, stating that people "cannot sit back and allow this to continue".

Other Formula One drivers also condemned the behaviour. Sebastian Vettel called for abusive fans to be banned from future races, saying that they "should be ashamed of themselves". Max Verstappen, whose supporters made up the majority of those in attendance, said that the incidents were "shocking" and "not normal". He also suggested greater security and more regulation of alcohol sales as a possible solution.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described the offenders as "a few amoebas – people with one [brain] cell". He stressed that the majority of fans should not be tainted by the actions of a minority, but also said that there is no excuse for fan abuse.

Sexism and misogyny

At the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, fans reported experiencing sexist, racist, and homophobic abuse. One female spectator wrote on Twitter:

> I got a misogynistic comment, and afterwards it went downhill with inappropriate touching and many more misogynistic comments.

Another fan, who was invited into the Mercedes garage, alleged that she had her skirt lifted by other spectators. They told her she didn't deserve respect because she was a Hamilton fan.

Formula One released a statement saying:

> We have been made aware of reports that some fans have been subject to completely unacceptable comments by others at the event. We have raised this with the promoter and security and will be speaking to those who have reported these incidents and are taking this very seriously. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and all fans should be treated with respect.

Drivers were united in their condemnation of the behaviour. Lewis Hamilton said he was "disgusted and disappointed", Toto Wolff described the offenders as "a few amoebas—people with one [brain] cell", and Sebastian Vettel called for abusive fans to be banned from racing events for life.

Inappropriate touching

One female fan, who was later invited into the Mercedes garage, reported that drunk spectators had lifted her skirt and told her she didn't deserve respect because she was a Hamilton fan. Another female fan wrote on Twitter: "I got a misogynistic comment, and afterwards it went downhill with inappropriate touching and many more misogynistic comments."

Helena Hicks, the founder of Females in Motorsport, which aims to increase female participation, recounted hearing about a fan who had her skirt pulled up, calling the experience "absolutely shocking." Hicks also said that she had heard reports of "catcalling, racism, and people called out for wearing anything rainbow or pride-related."

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