Max Verstappen called for increased security and suggested controlling the sale of alcoholic beverages at race tracks. Toto Wolff wants Formula 1 firmness to rule out abusers
World champion and leader of the 2022 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen took a position on the cases of harassment reported in the stands of the Red Bull Ring on the weekend of the Austrian GP. The category itself issued a note last Sunday (10) repudiating sexist, homophobic and sexist attitudes in Spielberg.
Verstappen, who was pole-position and second in the race, repudiated the attitudes. The Austrian GP is known to always welcome a legion of fans of the Red Bull driver, as the distance between the Netherlands and the country is less than two hours by plane. The event organizers estimate that at least 50,000 Dutch people followed the weekend at the Red Bull Ring.
"Of course it's not good. These things shouldn't happen, I've read some shocking things, so clearly it's not OK. I shouldn't even have to say that, I think it should be of general understanding that these things shouldn't happen. A normal human being should think normally and behave like this," Max said in the post-race press conference.
Verstappen, who has won at Spielberg on four occasions, called for increased security at the circuit and also suggested a control on the sale of alcoholic beverages to fans, although he also stated that abuse of the substance is no excuse for harassment.
"Sometimes you drink alcohol and do stupid things. I'm not saying it's an excuse, but these things can be regularized. There is a certain amount of alcohol before you say 'it's time to go to bed, wake up the next morning and get sober.' If you start to get really crazy, you can do all sorts of stupid things," he added.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes' team boss, also took a stand on the topic, using a stronger tone. The Brackley team was contacted by a woman who had her dress lifted up by drunken fans, who claimed she deserved no respect for being a Lewis Hamilton fan. The team staff found her and brought her to the team garage in the final moments of the race.
"We found out that this happened, and this is not right. If you abuse, in any way, be it sexist, racist, homophobic, you are an acerbic, and no amount of alcohol can justify that. These things polarize the sport and trigger emotions, we want that. But again, we must condemn and leave these few idiots far away from us," Wolff stated.
"Formula One needs to find these people and dispose of them, and I think that's what they said, to report to security if you can. And to anyone who reads my sentence: stay away. We don't want you. If you are part of this group, go fuck yourself," he concluded.