Dutch Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen drives the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Austria, during the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix on July 10, 2022. JURE MAKOVEC / AFP / Getty Images
Red Bull circuit owners and their world champion Max Verstappen joined Formula 1 on Sunday to condemn the sexist, racist and homophobic behavior denounced by spectators at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said earlier on Instagram that he was “disgusted and disappointed” by what had happened at the Red Bull Ring.
Formula 1 issued a statement saying it had been reported that some fans had been the subject of “completely unacceptable comments” from others in the crowd and that such behavior would not be tolerated.
“We take these issues very seriously, we have raised them with the promoter and the safety of the event, and we will talk to those who reported the incidents,” added the Liberty Media-owned sport.
The race is very popular among Verstappen fans, mostly Dutch, who threw orange flares and applauded the championship leader who has won four times on the rural circuit in five years.
There have been reports on social media of drunken male followers harassing female spectators, homophobic chants and racial abuse.
Verstappen won Saturday’s sprint race and started Sunday’s grand prix in pole position, but finished second behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
“These things shouldn’t happen,” Verstappen said later. “I’ve read some shocking things. That’s clearly not right. I shouldn’t even say that. There should be a general understanding that these things shouldn’t happen.”
Red Bull chief Christian Horner called for a quick response from authorities.
“There is no place for that in racing or in society as a whole,” he added. “We value inclusion and want a safe space for fans to enjoy our sport.”
The Mercedes Hamilton driver, who battled Verstappen for the title last year and condemned fans who applauded his qualifying crash on Friday, spoke before and after the race.
“Disgusted and disappointed to learn that some fans are facing racist, homophobic and generally abusive behavior on the circuit this weekend,” said the Briton, the sport’s only black rider.
“Attending the Austrian Grand Prix or any GP should never be a source of anxiety and pain for fans and something needs to be done to ensure that the races are safe spaces for everyone.”
Hamilton urged anyone who witnessed this abuse to report it to the safety of the circuit.
“We can’t sit back and allow this to continue,” he added.
Speaking later, he said it was shocking to know that fans were suffering for whom they chose to support.
“It’s crazy to think we’re living these things still in 2022,” he told reporters. “It simply came to our notice then that it was still a problem everywhere and was reduced to education and ignorance.
“It shouldn’t matter (about) your gender, your sexuality, the color of your skin. It should just be everyone here to have fun.”
Ferrari also spoke on Twitter, saying that “there is no room for verbal or physical abuse against any group of people in the sport.
“Therefore, we are united with @ F1 to state that this behavior is completely unacceptable.”