FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem blames F1 team members and drivers for the increased online abuse faced by race officials

FIA president Muhammed Ben Sulayem blamed F1 drivers and team members as aggressors to online abuse towards race officials and stewards. Addressing the issue in a social media post, the regulatory body chief stated that the World Motorsport Council had approved a change in the International Sporting Code to penalize any misconduct towards race officials and stewards.

The FIA launched its United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign earlier this year, whose primary objective was to tackle online bullying and abuse against athletes and sporting officials. Taking to social media to announce some of their investigation regarding the subject, President Ben Sulayem suggested that their recent research correlated the negative comments, made by F1 drivers and team members, to increased abuse and hatred against sporting officials and stewards.

Writing in a post on Instagram, FIA president Ben Sulayem said:

“As part of our ongoing fight against online abuse, recent investigations have shown that there is a direct link between negative comments from drivers and team members and increased hate directed towards officials on social media. At the last World Motor Sport Council, members approved a change to the definition of misconduct within the ISC following incidents in which high profile members of our sport have made statements towards officials that incite abuse.”

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FIA will not tolerate any form of online abuse triggered by F1 entities

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem suggests that the changes made to the definition of ‘misconduct’ under the International Sporting Code will be intolerant towards F1 drivers or team members making negative comments. He suggested that the change made to the ISC after discussions with the World Motorsport Council will address combatting any kind of online abuse towards FIA stewards, F1 race officials, and volunteers.

Speaking about the change made to combat online abuse, FIA president Ben Sulayem said:

“This change will ensure further support for the FIA Officials and Volunteers who dedicate their time to improving our sport, keeping it safe and fair. Our Stewards must be prepared to show strength when combatting this form of abuse, and they have my full support, and the support of our International Sporting Code, when making their decisions. I urge them to show that the FIA will not allow abuse of any kind within our sport.”

With a growing fan base active on social media, F1 drivers, teams and race officials have particularly been at the receiving end of online abuse on social media platforms. After the pandemic season in 2020, online abuse against those working in the sport has increased.

Several drivers and teams have called it out in the past. Drivers like Esteban Ocon have called it out openly in a public statement after the Monaco GP, teams like Mercedes have faced threats in their emails this season. However, the sport has taken a definitive stance in unison when it comes to countering cyberbullying and abuse.