F1 News
Ben Sulayem voices concern over major problem in Formula 1
The FIA have warned against the growing online hate in Formula 1. The federation is concerned about the increase of comments directed at both officials and drivers that only increased over the past year.
With the 2024 season especially being a nail-biting one, many extreme thoughts where shared on either maneouvres or the steward's decisions in F1. The report conducted by the UAOA (United Against Online Abuse) show that as many as 75% of the drivers had to deal with threats on social media, and 66% think the social media platforms should take more action.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was positive about how many are now trying to tackle this problem, he talked about the matter in Madrid. "Last year UAOA highlighted the devastating personal toll online abuse has on competitors and athletes. This second edition report has shone a light on the equally unacceptable abuse faced by officials and referees—essential members of the sporting community who ensure our competitions are conducted fairly, robustly, and with integrity," he began.
Ben Sulayem reacts to the UAOA report
"While it’s encouraging to see more federations adopting anti-abuse measures, these findings show that the scale of abuse is continuing to grow. UAOA’s work in 2025 will be critical in fostering collaboration across the sporting, political, and technology sectors to create meaningful, lasting solutions that protect all members of our community," the FIA President continued.
The FIA will continue to talk with social media platforms, governments, and other federations in order to fight against the issue, they announced in their press release. The clear goal is to create an safe environment of respect, where everyone involved can follow their dreams and passion without fearing intimidation or threats.
This article was written in collaboration with Estéban den Toom
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