Charles Leclerc demands F1 action after sickening Mick Doohan social media abuse

Charles Leclerc has urged F1 fans to be "respectful" after a "toxic" situation emerged involving Franco Colapinto and Mick Doohan. 

After Colapinto crashed in Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying, an Instagram story purporting to be from Mick Doohan was shared on social media, laughing after the Argentine had replaced Mick's son, Jack at Alpine.

Mick Doohan had not posted anything on social media, with the page responsible apologising, but abuse had already started to spread as a result, with people believing Doohan's post to be real. 

As a result, Jack Doohan issued a statement, with the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, issuing one after a further incident involving Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda.

Asked about the situation, Ferrari driver Leclerc labelled it "a shame" and doubled down on calls for fans to be respectful, no matter who they support.

"I wasn't aware of all the details of the situation, but I think as a global picture, that's never something you want to see," Leclerc told media, including RacingNews365. 

"I think there's a lot of respect, and I've grown up with F1 as a target and looking at it, thinking that it was incredible to see so many different fans from different teams, but having a lot of respect. 

"That's what I want to see going forward all the time, no matter what the situation is, so especially now with social media, it's more and more toxic, I think, and there is more and more false information spread.

"The most important thing to do is just be respectful first, and it is a shame to see these kinds of things."

Pierre Gasly, Doohan and Colapinto's Alpine team leader, was also asked about the situation, and emphasised the efforts put in by everyone involved in motorsport.

"I fully agree with what Charles said, I don't think there's any space for abuse in any sort of way, anywhere, and it is just sad to see really," he said.

"Because I think everyone has been really good, in that sense, the community we've had over the years really supporting but never really spreading hate on any other you can support any team, any drivers, even many, many teams, many different drivers, but at the end of the day, we've never really seen that sort of hate happening.

"I hope people can understand there are human beings behind anyone, families, drivers, team mechanics, engineers, and respect is key, and respect should come first as a priority, so we don't want to see any of that."