Lando Norris has faced a barrage of online abuse after calling for Formula One to impose a ban on Franco Colapinto.
The world champion made the demand after Colapinto caused a three-car pile-up, forcing Norris out of Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Norris’s comments sparked widespread hostility across his social media channels, largely from Colapinto’s supporters.
The Alpine driver acknowledged fault for the collision and will serve a five-place grid penalty at the next race.
In response to the hostility online, Colapinto’s Alpine team issued a statement to the Press Association on Sunday.
They said: "As a team, we feel it’s necessary to speak out once more about the hate and abuse online following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Not only aimed at one of our own drivers, but also members of the Formula One community, including media, and to our racing counterparts who we respect, admire, and revel competing against in the pinnacle of motorsport.
"Mistakes happen when racing at the limit and no matter the result or outcome, nobody should be subject to hateful or abusive comments.
"Condemning abuse on social media is not aimed at any one fan base or the supporters of one team or driver, this is universal and should be called out and recognised to all fans of the sport.
"As we have said in previous instances, we strongly condemn the reaction of some fans online and stand in solidarity with Formula One, the FIA, and other teams in wanting to stamp it out. It has become a regular occurrence in recent races and cannot be condoned.
"We know as a proud participant and stakeholder in the sport, we hold a responsibility to speak out and also help support in finding a solution. We will continue to work closely with the championship promoter and rights-holder, and the governing body to discuss ways in which to tackle online abuse and encourage healthy sporting rivalry, which Formula One is renowned for and what makes it so special."
Norris’s DNF in Baku leaves him 116 points behind Kimi Antonelli, effectively ending his title defence.
George Russell claimed his third win of the season, cutting Antonelli’s lead from 81 points to 66, with 208 points still available over eight rounds.
Russell is now Antonelli’s only realistic challenger and will aim to build momentum at next weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
However, Antonelli — who admitted driving "like my grandmother" in Baku after a qualifying crash before finishing fifth — warned his Mercedes team-mate he will return to form in Sepang.
"He (Russell) has always been my rival, but I will make sure next week I re-establish the order. And make sure I am back at my normal level.
"You always want to win, and I am not happy how I drove this weekend. I could have done, and I should have done a much better job but it was one of those weekends where it didn’t click, I struggled, but it has taught me a lot, I have learnt a lot about myself, especially how to respond to this kind of situation, and it will be much better next weekend."
