Toto Wolff slams abusive fans to “F*** off” after a female fan was sexually harassed!

If you watched the 2021 season of Formula 1, you’d know controversial is a small word to explain it. If Verstappen’s move in Brazil taking both himself and Lewis out of the track, or a move where his car’s tyre landed on Lewis’ helmet wasn’t enough, the finale sealed the deal. This year, it was expected to be a 3-way battle but sadly, Mercedes didn’t properly hit it off with the new regulations. Yet, it seems like some Max fans are still not over last year even though Max won the controversial season.

In an incident of sexual harassment, the Mercedes team brought over a young female Lewis fan over as she was sexually harassed in the grandstands by fans of Max Verstappen. Her skirt was reportedly pulled up and she was abused by some drunk fans just for being a Hamilton fan. These reports this year of homophobic and sexual abuse are not new to this season as a similar thing was reported last season in Austria. The problem is wide-ranging.

You’d obviously be aware of the extremism and hatred one has to face online on twitter or reddit for example for being a fan of one driver. Add lewis Hamilton to the mix and the hate and abuse multiplies. Recent incidents like Nelson Piquet’s racial abuse against Lewis, Mika Hakinnen and Nico Rosberg filling up the fans with theories like Hamilton should retire and “he is done” to the fans cheering against Hamilton as he crashed in qualifying when he was looking to be competing for pole. It has been despicable since Alonso’s fans mocked him in Spain but, in 2022 it is truly disgraceful.

Toto Wolff has no longer kept a ceiling on expressing himself against this hate and abuse. He  believed, and rightly so, that those going out of their way to abuse others should just “f*** off.” This is what he had to say, “F*** off! If you are part of that category, f*** off. We just need to target these guys and pick them out and say ‘you’. This is what Formula One has said and we have said and that you need to report to the security if you can. And whoever reads my sentence: stay away, we don’t want you if you are part of that group. I think it’s just people being stupid. I have no other explanation for people abusing — in whatever way, sexist, hedonistic, homophobic or racist – you are just simply brainless. And no alcohol can excuse that. The sport polarises and triggers emotions, we want that. We shouldn’t condemn all of them but put these few idiots out.”

Lewis Hamilton expressed his discomfort via social media. He said, “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.”

And it is not exactly just Hamilton and Mercedes whose fans had to face it. Aston Martin also posted a photo of two ladies invited into their garage to enjoy hospitality on Sunday afternoon. They said two women named Mollie and Julia were also subjected to hate and inviting them backstage was a “small act” to help combat unacceptable behaviour with Sebastian Vettel claiming fans who were found to be abusive to others should be banned from attending future events. He also said, “Horrible isn’t it? I think it is good that this stuff comes out, that’s the start, but it is horrible. Whoever these people are they should be ashamed of themselves and they should be banned from racing events for their lives.”

It’s our pleasure to host fans Mollie and Julia, who yesterday were subjected to the abuse reported by many at the #AustrianGP.

This is a small act, which must be part of a larger movement to combat the unacceptable behaviour on display.

All in. All welcome. All celebrated. pic.twitter.com/eapSPAiKy5

— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 10, 2022

Hamilton and Vettel have long been Formula 1’s moral inspectors. The two senior drivers have always been at the helm of making sure Formula 1’s inclusivity criteria changes and they have also been advocating against racism and bullying as well. The two have also stood together during times when the FIA has made some rather clumsy announcements like what undergarments to wear and the jewellery scandal. It was not a surprise that these two have come out and openly condemned the same. Max Verstappen and his team’s boss Christian Horner also came in support of these fans and condemned such questionable behaviour.