Sebastian Vettel has called for lifetime bans from motorsport events for abusive fans,following several reported incidents of harassment and abusive behaviour duringthe Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Various accounts of inappropriate fan behaviour at the Red BullRing were shared on social media, with Formula 1 calling the findings "unacceptable" and vowing to collaborate with organisers and securityto investigate the matter. For his part, Vettel called for a "zero tolerance" approachtowards any fans found to have behaved in such a manner. "Horrible, isn't it?" Vettel told media including RacingNews365.com of the allegations. "I think it is good that this stuff comes out, that's the start,but it is horrible. "Whoever these people are, they should be ashamed of themselvesand they should be banned from racing events for their lives. "I think there should be zero tolerance. If people have a goodtime and drink too much that's OK, but it doesn't justify or excuse wrongbehaviour. "We race as one, so the fans are a part of that."
Widespread condemnation of unruly fan behaviour
Numerous other drivers and key F1 personnel - including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff - have already expressed outrage and disapproval at the reported behaviour. Large sections of the chiefly Verstappen-supporting crowd were heard cheering a crash for Hamilton during qualifying, generating criticism from high-profile F1 figures. Hamilton and Mercedes also reported that they had received a complaint from a female fan who was harassed by a group of male fans because of her support of Hamilton. "We have been made aware of reports that some fans have been subject to completely unacceptable comments by others at the event," read Formula 1's statement. "We have raised this with the promoter and security and will be speaking to those who have reported these incidents and are taking this very seriously. "This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and all fans should be treated with respect."
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