Alpine forced to condemn online abuse again after Franco Colapinto-sparked chaos

Alpine has issued a fresh public condemnation of online abuse after a collision triggered by Franco Colapinto wiped out three cars at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Colapinto lost control of his Alpine into Turn 1 at the Baku City Circuit following a safety car restart, collecting team-mate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris in the process. All three retired on the spot.

The incident has since triggered a wave of hostile reaction online, notably towards Norris and Colapinto. The backlash has also extended to members of the Formula 1 media and to rival competitors caught up in the incident.

It is the second time this year that Alpine has felt compelled to speak out. The team published an open letter in April, following the Japanese Grand Prix, condemning online hate directed at Colapinto and acknowledging it had been slow to respond to abuse and death threats aimed at former driver Esteban Ocon after a collision between the pair in China.

In May last year, the team issued a statement calling out abuse after former driver Jack Doohan and his family were targeted online. 

Alpine - It has become a regular occurrence

In the latest statement issued by Alpine, the team said it felt it necessary to speak out once more about the hate and abuse circulating online following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

It said the abuse was aimed "not only 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."