BUDAPEST (HUNGARY), 30 July (dpa/EP) –
Formula One has launched this Saturday the ‘Drive It Out’ campaign against any type of abuse in racing and ‘online’, following the alleged incidents of sexual harassment at the recent Austrian Grand Prix.
Fans denounced sexual harassment, as well as homophobic and racist attitudes on the Spielberg track in early July. Formula 1 called the incidents “unacceptable” and drivers and team principals also criticized offenders.
The competition’s new initiative was launched in a video featuring Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the 20 drivers.
“Formula 1 is about competition and rivalry, but also about respect. Respect as competitors, respect for our fans, respect for the whole Formula 1 family. Abuse of any kind is unacceptable. If you can’t be respectful, then don’t be a part of our sport,” they said in the video.
The competition insisted on the campaign that they cannot allow “those who think they can abuse others to get away with it”. “We have a duty to report this and say ‘no more’. We are acting as a community to block those who abuse others ‘online’. We will not allow abuse in our careers,” they added.
“Those who hide behind social networks with abusive and disrespectful opinions are not our fans. We are united and ask you to join us to get all this out of sport and society,” settled the campaign video.