Ralf Schumacher takes fierce stand against horrific problem: 'See if you can take legal action'

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has taken a firm stance against certain Franco Colapinto fans who issued death threats to Esteban Ocon after the Chinese Grand Prix, stressing that "legal action" should be considered.

Since Colapinto made his competitive F1 debut at Monza in 2024 for Williams, some members of the Argentine driver’s fanbase have caused major issues for the championship.

Death threats issued to drivers involved in incidents with Colapinto have become a common occurrence, including at the most recent round in Shanghai.

Ocon hit Colapinto and forced the Alpine driver into a spin mid-race at the opening corners — a collision the Frenchman took full responsibility for and apologised for.

In addition, Colapinto's management team posted a statement on social media, pleading with fans not to issue death threats.

Unfortunately, such messages still flooded platforms like Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter), something Schumacher has labelled "shameful".

"I think it's actually very sad and shameful," Schumacher said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. "I can't say anything at all about it. I did always associate Argentina with emotion.

"Personally, I only knew Norberto Fontana (an Argentine driver), he was the only one I used to hang out with more often. 

"Some may remember him. I always saw them as incredibly sympathetic family. When I was in Argentina at the time, for Formula 1, I didn't experience that at all to that extreme.

"But around Colapinto, at least on the Internet ... It doesn't matter who stands in the way or is critical of him in any way, because they are insulted or threatened in the most terrible ways."

Legal action should be considered

For the brother of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, being on the receiving end of death threats is not something that bothers him.

Despite this, the former Jordan, Williams, and Toyota driver is insistent that it does not belong in F1 and that legal action should be considered.

"I don't care that much, it all passes me by," added Schumacher. "But I do have to say honestly that it's a shame, and also doesn't really belong in this sport. Maybe people should take a look at that. I also hope they will.

"Maybe they should also look into taking legal action against types like that. This just can't be done. Violence, or incitement to violence via the Internet... I don't think there is room for that anywhere in the world.

"I think in soccer you also have similar cases, especially in Germany. But maybe not as bad, I don't know. But in Formula 1 ... It just doesn't belong in Formula 1, but those are the downsides of the Netflix stories. I think Formula 1 just used to be much more nuanced, and more for the pure motorsports fan."

"Netflix has brought a lot more breadth, at least in terms of fans. Now it goes from young to old, and in all kinds of directions. I think it becomes clear then that things do go wrong at times, with so many characters colliding."