Bortoleto calls online abusers 'cowards' as Colapinto backs FIA push

Both drivers were asked about the subject at the FIA press conference ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix, shortly after F1's governing body revised its online abuse guidelines. The two drivers recognised that the conversation around harassment had moved forward, and called for lasting action rather than one-off responses.

Bortoleto drew a line between criticism and abuse. Speaking in front of his home crowd, he said he would rather hear complaints in person than read them anonymously online.

Colapinto answered in fewer words but made his position clear. Asked for his reaction to the FIA's work, the Argentine replied: "It's great." He went on to say: "I think, you know, I've been fighting really hard against it this year and I don't want to talk a lot more about it."

He added that the work is far from done. "We need to keep an eye on it and keep, of course, understanding how we can improve it and, yeah, just not let it rest. We have to be very proactive in the things that we are doing. Me, with the team, with Alpine and everyone in the paddock, we've been fighting really hard against it."

Colapinto has more reason than most to speak about it. In September, Pierre Gasly said he, his girlfriend and his family had received threats after an incident between the Alpine teammates at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. Flavio Briatore then warned that Colapinto could stop speaking to Argentine media if the abuse continued. During the US Grand Prix weekend, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that Gasly had received 13,000 threats on his life.

It was not the first case linked to Colapinto's fanbase this year. In August, the FIA's United Against Online Abuse coalition condemned abuse aimed at the stewards who penalised Colapinto at the Dutch Grand Prix. Esteban Ocon had also received death threats after a collision with the Argentine at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The subject has reached beyond F1 as well. Last month, Max Verstappen spoke out after his GT3 teammate Chris Lulham was targeted following the GT World Challenge Europe finale at Portimão, as covered in F1 Today | Verstappen breaks silence on Lulham abuse as Hamilton's father praises Dutchman.