Colapinto and Bortoleto back FIA’s tougher online abuse guidelines

Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto have welcomed updated rules from the FIA aimed at addressing abuse across online communities, with both drivers urging the sport to keep up its efforts against threats and harassment directed at competitors and others in the paddock.

The governing body introduced its revised Online Community Guidelines alongside its United Against Online Abuse initiative during the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend on November 7. The framework divides digital harm into seven categories, including toxic content, impersonation, surveillance and account lockout.

Colapinto says the sport must keep working on the problem

Colapinto said he had spoken extensively about online abuse during the season and did not want to revisit the subject at length. He nevertheless backed the FIA’s changes, arguing that action must continue across the sport and beyond it.

The Alpine driver said he, his team and people in the paddock had been working to confront the issue. He called for continued attention and a proactive approach rather than allowing efforts to stall.

Several drivers have faced severe abuse this season. Pierre Gasly, his family and his girlfriend were understood to have received 13,000 death threats after Alpine instructed Colapinto to let his team-mate pass during the Spanish Grand Prix. Incidents involving Colapinto have also prompted extreme reactions from some supporters.

The attention around the Argentine has included discussion of his difficult learning curve in Formula 1, though the drivers’ remarks in Brazil focused on the responsibilities of those posting online.

Bortoleto draws a line between criticism and abuse

Bortoleto praised the FIA’s work and noted that Colapinto had been particularly vocal about the subject. He said criticism should be constructive, while rejecting threats and hostile personal attacks. In his view, people may behave differently online because they are shielded by a screen.

The Audi driver also said the FIA had been proactive and that drivers had been discussing the issue among themselves. He sees progress, but said the work should continue. Bortoleto’s wider path in the sport is covered in our report on his long-term Audi commitment.

The FIA has also turned to automated moderation software, including Arwen.ai, to filter abusive comments on its channels in real time. Its United Against Online Abuse coalition has established routes to refer the most serious threats and hate speech to law enforcement, with the aim of pursuing prosecution where appropriate.