Gasly Addresses Online Abuse Ahead of Sao Paulo
The Alpine driver spoke about abuse from accounts identifying as Franco Colapinto supporters before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Motorsports
Pierre Gasly commented on online abuse from accounts identifying as Franco Colapinto supporters ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Colapinto said abuse linked to his fan base has improved since he posted a video addressing the issue last month.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights how fan conduct on social media can spill over onto drivers beyond the one being supported. Colapinto's video and his comments on improvement suggest that direct appeals from drivers can influence the behavior of their followers.
Argentina's wait for a driver on the Formula 1 grid lasted 23 years until Colapinto's arrival in 2024, and Gasly has competed in the sport for 10 years. The stub does not provide figures on the number of abusive messages or how they have changed over time.
The players
Pierre Gasly
Gasly is a French Formula 1 driver who has competed in the sport for 10 years and races for Alpine.
Franco Colapinto
Colapinto is an Argentine Formula 1 driver who ended his country's 23-year wait for a driver on the grid in 2024.
The details
Gasly said some accounts identifying as Colapinto supporters have directed abuse at him and at other drivers and Alpine on social media, with the most recent incident following the Spanish Grand Prix. He also said the presence of thousands of Argentine fans crossing into Brazil to watch Colapinto race at Interlagos gives him positive energy.
Timeline
2024: Colapinto ends Argentina's 23-year wait for a driver on the grid.
Last month: Colapinto posts a video addressing online abuse linked to his fan base.
Most recent race before Sao Paulo: Gasly faces online abuse following the Spanish Grand Prix.
Thursday before the Sao Paulo weekend: Colapinto says online abuse has improved since his video.
This weekend: Gasly races at Interlagos.
Season Trajectory
Colapinto's arrival in 2024 ended Argentina's 23-year wait for a driver on the grid and brought a large national fan base into Formula 1. The social media friction described here is part of how that fan base has become visible across the calendar.
Fans following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix will see Gasly and Colapinto race at Interlagos, where a large Argentine crowd is expected. The dispute centers on social media conduct, so readers following either driver on social platforms may encounter the abuse directly.
The takeaway
Direct appeals from drivers to their own fan bases can reduce abuse, as Colapinto's post suggests, but the problem can still reach rival drivers. Fans who want to support their driver can do so without targeting others on social media.
Further reading
Explore more Motorsports coverage for additional context on driver rivalries and fan dynamics across the grid.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Motorsport.
