Formula 1 has launched a unified campaign called ‘Drive It Out’ in response to increasing incidents of abuse online and at events.
The ‘Drive It Out’ campaign is led by a video featuring all 20 drivers as well as F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
We are united in our desire to drive abuse of all kinds out of the sport we love, and we're calling on the entire F1 family to join us#DriveItOut. Together. pic.twitter.com/j0x6vsoars
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 30, 2022
Sexual harassment and racial abuse were among the incidents reported by fans at the Austrian GP earlier this month, which triggered new measures at the French GP including emergency phone lines and a greater security presence.
More ideas to enforce this effort at events are being considered and promoters are being actively encouraged to come up with robust plans.
This could include action against how much alcohol fans can consume at events. World champion Max Verstappen highlighted this as a problem in Austria.
In addition, F1 and teams have grown increasingly concerned by online abuse as well.
F1 said it “recognises that while passion and competition” are important parts of motorsport “it can go too far, resulting in fans, journalists, presenters, and drivers receiving abuse both verbally and online”.
As part of the effort to challenge the behaviour of offending ‘fans’, F1 is asking its community to call it out.
There is a desire for F1, teams and fans to block abusive online users and report offenders as well.
F1 also intends to encourage social media platforms to take action, something the championship was slow to support last year when there was a major global ‘blackout’ in a stand against racism, harassment and online abuse.
The name of the campaign draws parallels with the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign in football that challenges racism and discrimination. Kick It Out is supported by football governing bodies including the Professional Footballers’ Association, the Premier League and the Football Association.
