Austrian Grand Prix: Formula 1 to investigate claims of abuseon July 10, 2022 at 4:18 pm

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Formula 1 will investigate claims that some spectators at the Austrian Grand Prix suffered discriminatory abuse.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton went off at Turn Seven, close to grandstands packed with Dutch fans of his 2021 title rival Max Verstappen.

“I was going through a bunch of stuff in the crash, but to hear it afterwards you know… I don’t agree with any of that, no matter what,” he said.

“A driver could have been in hospital, and you are going to cheer that?”

The incident left Hamilton 10th in qualifying, although he was promoted to ninth on the grid for Saturday’s sprint event after a penalty for Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.

Speaking after the sprint, Hamilton added: “It’s just mind-blowing that people would do that, knowing how dangerous our sport is. I’m grateful that I wasn’t in hospital and I wasn’t heavily injured.

“You should never cheer someone’s downfall or someone’s injury.”

Investigation launched into ‘unacceptable abuse’ at race weekend

Formula 1 said it has launched an investigation into reports of fans being subjected to “completely unacceptable” abuse at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Hamilton later wrote on Instagram: “Disgusted and disappointed to hear that some fans are facing racist, homophobic and generally abusive behaviour at the circuit this weekend.

“Attending the Austrian Grand Prix or any GP should never be a source of anxiety and pain for fans and something must be done to ensure that races are safe spaces for all.

“Please, if you see this happening, report it to circuit security and to F1. We cannot sit back and allow this to continue.”

Ferrari power ‘too much at the moment’

Hamilton will start Sunday’s grand prix in eighth place, his finishing position in Saturday’s sprint event.

He made a poor start and dropped to 11th on the first lap after being hit by Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly at the first corner.

He spent much of the sprint stuck behind Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher but unable to pass because the Mercedes had inferior straight-line speed than their Ferrari-engined cars.

He finally managed to overtake Schumacher with two laps to go.

Hamilton said: “The Ferrari power is just too much for us at the moment.

“I don’t know if it’s drag, or if it’s power, it’s difficult to quantify which one it is.

“It wasn’t particularly the most fun of races. It didn’t feel that quick. But as I said, I think there was something not right with the car after that [incident with Gasly].

“But a big, big thank you to my team for putting the car together. They worked crazy hard overnight and this morning to keep us in the race, so I hope tomorrow is a bit better.”

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