FIA boss Mohammed ben Sulayem has joined Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in condemning the social media 'toxicity' currently plaguing Formula 1. At the recent Mexican Grand Prix, Verstappen and his Red Bull teammates all boycotted interviews with Sky Sports, after pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz claimed Hamilton was 'robbed' of the 2021 world title, in which the Dutchman prevailed.
Discussing the issue, the two-time defending world champion said: "Social media is a very toxic place and if you are constantly being like that live on TV then you are making it worse instead of trying to make it better." These thoughts were echoed by Hamilton who finished behind Verstappen in Mexico City late last month.
The seven-time world champion said: "Social media is getting more and more toxic as the years go on and we should all come off it, ultimately.
“Mental health is such a prominent thing right now. So many people are reading the comments, the stuff that people say, and it is hurtful. Fortunately I don’t read it.
"But the media platforms need to do more to protect people, particularly young kids and women. At the moment they are not doing that so I think this [online hate] will just continue." Following Hamilton and Verstappen's controversial finish in Abu Dhabi last year, former race director Michael Masi revealed he received death threats online.
Now, ben Sulayem has also confirmed female steward Silvia Bellot received similar threats as he called for those in the sport to unite against online hate. Writing for motorsport.com, he said: "It is utterly deplorable that a volunteer such as Silvia or any of our marshals and officials, who volunteer their time to allow us to go racing, is the subject of such hatred.
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"Indeed a number of FIA staff have also been targeted with harassment and hate posts over the past few years. It is totally unacceptable that our volunteers, officials and employees are subjected to this extreme abuse. It has no place in our sport. It has a devastating effect on our mental health and that of our loved ones."
Adding that he believes abuse across social media will eventually 'destroy' F1 if it continues, he went on: "I will always stand up for my staff and volunteers. And let me be clear - without these people there would be no racing.
"We have to ask ourselves, who would want to pursue becoming a top official in this environment? The reality is obvious - if this continues it will destroy our sport." Earlier this year, F1 confirmed that all 20 drivers, ben Sulayem and CEO Stefano Domenicali had join forces to form the 'Drive It Out' campaign to tackle abuse online.
