Ben Sulayem Condemned Abuse Against Pierre Gasly
The FIA president has spoken out against online harassment directed at the driver and his family.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Motorsports
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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem issued a formal condemnation regarding the online abuse directed at driver Pierre Gasly and his family. He stated that such harassment has no place in the sport.
Why it matters
The intervention highlights ongoing concerns regarding toxic behavior within motorsport fan communities. It underscores the governing body's attempt to curb aggressive digital campaigns that have increasingly targeted drivers, officials, and teams.
The FIA has logged reports of fan abuse spanning across three separate incidents involving drivers, teams, and stewards over the last two years. The investigation into the frequency and origin of these digital attacks remains ongoing.
The players
Mohammed Ben Sulayem
He serves as the president of the FIA and founded the United Against Online Abuse initiative to combat digital harassment.
Pierre Gasly
He is a professional racing driver who was recently the target of online abuse directed at him and his family.
Franco Colapinto
He is a driver whose supporters have been repeatedly accused of aiming harassment at figures within the motorsport industry.
Jack Doohan
He is a racing driver who was previously the target of alleged abuse by fans in 2025.
The details
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who founded the United Against Online Abuse initiative, released a statement addressing the recent targeting of Gasly. Supporters of Franco Colapinto have been linked to a series of abusive incidents, including targeting Jack Doohan in 2025, their own team earlier this year, and FIA stewards last month.
Timeline
Supporters allegedly targeted Jack Doohan in 2025.
Abuse was reportedly directed at FIA stewards in August 2026.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem condemned the abuse toward Pierre Gasly on September 24, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The condemnation follows a pattern set by the United Against Online Abuse initiative, which seeks to mitigate toxic digital environments. Addressing this behavior is critical for the sport to maintain its integrity as it navigates increasing digital scrutiny of fan interactions.
Fans are reminded that the FIA monitors abusive behavior and may impose stricter digital conduct policies during race weekends. These incidents shift the focus of the sport toward administrative and security concerns rather than competitive outcomes on the track.
The takeaway
The sport is currently struggling to balance passionate fan engagement with the need to protect individuals from targeted digital harassment. Moving forward, the effectiveness of the FIA's initiative will depend on whether these public condemnations result in tangible changes to online community standards.
Further reading
For more information on current efforts to improve digital behavior in the paddock, visit Motorsports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RaceFans.
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Should social media platforms be held more accountable for online abuse directed at public figures?
