13,000 Death Threats Against Gasly: FIA Threatens Bans for Abusive Fans and Media

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has issued a stern warning that fans and even accredited journalists could face bans from Formula 1 events over online abuse. His hardline stance comes after revelations that Alpine driver Pierre Gasly received over 13,000 death threats following on-track tension with teammate Franco Colapinto at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Speaking to The Drive during the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Ben Sulayem made it clear that motorsport's governing body is prepared to sanction both spectators and accredited media members, once again putting the conduct of Colapinto’s vocal fanbase under scrutiny.

FIA Ready to Sanction Media and Fans Alike

The FIA chief voiced his frustration over the sheer volume of targeted abuse aimed at the French driver and outlined the measures being put in place.

While Ben Sulayem did not detail exactly how AI tools would identify anonymous online users, he admitted that toxic abuse is already driving personnel away from the sport, pointing to a female race steward who recently stepped down after receiving death and violence threats. He linked these efforts to the FIA’s "United Against Online Abuse" campaign, emphasizing that the issue cannot be resolved without direct cooperation from teams, drivers, journalists, and fans.

Backing Briatore's Hardline Stance

Ben Sulayem also backed Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore, who warned in September that he would pull Colapinto from media appearances if online hostility from his fans continued. The FIA president stressed that drivers must also take responsibility and address their supporters directly:

The Incident on Track

The wave of abuse was triggered in the closing stages of the Spanish Grand Prix. Gasly had run almost the entire distance on hard tyres and was due to pit, holding up Colapinto while Oscar Piastri closed the gap from behind. The lack of a team order from Alpine and the Argentine's angry radio messages quickly went viral across social media.

Gasly eventually made his pit stop, leaving Colapinto to bring his car home in seventh while the Frenchman finished twelfth. Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Gasly revealed that his partner and family had also been targeted, calling the behavior completely unacceptable. Colapinto subsequently urged his fans to stop the online vitriol and took a temporary break from social media to refocus on his racing.