Franco Colapinto issues fan plea after shocking Yuki Tsunoda abuse

Franco Colapinto has urged his followers to remain calm and respectful after they sickeningly abused Yuki Tsunoda online.

Colapinto's fans turned on Tsunoda following an incident during Friday's first practice session for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The abuse was, on occasion, severely racist.

It followed an on-track moment when Tsunoda gesticulated with his hand towards Colapinto after being blocked by the Argentinian, back in F1 with Alpine after replacing the benched Jack Doohan.

Tsunoda has called on F1 to intervene should the abuse "get worse and worse", although the tone of the messages was already vile and worthy of condemnation.

Tsunoda has no issue with Colapinto's fans having "energy", but he has urged them to "control it", believing it "can be used in a better way".

Colapinto can understand why Tsunoda was frustrated with him in the first place. Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, he said: "I didn't see anything, but I heard that Yuki did this [raising his hand to gesture] or something with his hand.

"I blocked him. He was right, to be honest. I blocked quite a few people yesterday. It was just the first day with the car, with the team. There is always a bit of miscommunication, and a bit tricky. But yeah, I blocked him.

"He probably was a bit upset. He’s right to be upset. It's fine. I don't know what the Argentinian fans did."

When informed of their despicable conduct, he then called on them to be more respectful.

"I know they are extremely passionate, and they are always very harsh on other people," he said. "They have to give respect, and that's what we all want.

"There is a lot of hate on social media nowadays, and that's not our thing. Of course, we always try - and want for all the drivers - a bit of respect, to keep it respectful and calm there [online]."