FIA issues statement after Prost revelation: 'Shows the harsh reality'
F1 News
- Kimberley Hoefnagel
Four-time world champion Alain Prost has talked many times about the hateful messages he has received, even years after retiring from Formula 1. The situation got to a point where the Frenchman is considered leaving social media completely. The FIA also commented on the legendary driver's situation.
"As a former world champion in his sport, Alain Prost should not be driven off social media due to online abuse," the FIA informed PlanetF1 through a statement. "His experience highlights the harsh reality faced by sportsmen and women at all levels—daily abuse, harassment, and even threats."
The previous season, the motorsport federation also launched the United Against Online Abuse initiative, as they aim to collaboratively tackle the issue in motorsport as well as in other competitions in any sport.
"Under the FIA’s leadership, UAOA is developing the educational, technological, and regulatory solutions needed to protect competitors, officials, and fans to ensure that sport remains a place of strong but fair and inclusive competition," the FIA concluded.
Prost victim of online abuse
Prost recently explained to Canal+ that threats began even before social media, during the early stages of his career. "I took some political positions that maybe I should not have taken, although the most important thing is that I did not say anything unusual."
Eventually, the situation got so out of the hand that he had to leave his home country. "In fact, I received some messages...A burnt car, death threats and hate messages on my phone before every race weekend. I've had my car spat on in the street, that happened to me once or twice and it's really strange," he explained.
Speaking to the same French channel, he also added that to this day, he is still regularly messaged about his biggest rival, Ayrton Senna. "I can’t not think about Ayrton, fortunately or unfortunately. For example, I’m considering turning off my Instagram, because I get messages every day, really every day without exception – from time to time there’s a hateful one, that can happen."
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi
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