Threats to Pourchaire, Canapino: “Whoever did it is not part of us” | FP

More hate online

In the days following the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon published a long message on his social media profiles in which he condemned the repeated insults received online after the collision with his teammate Pierre Gasly during the first lap. Now, again on social media and on the web, similar episodes are occurring to the detriment of another French driver involved in IndyCar: Theo Pourchaire.

Threats and insults

The #6 of Arrow McLaren, making its debut in the US series this year, was the protagonist of a contact occurred with Agustin Canapino in the last round a DetroitHowever, the race was interrupted on eight occasions by the intervention of the Pace Car due to numerous collisions or off-track runs on the narrow city circuit. The Argentine driver of the Juncos Hollinger team then finished in 12th place for this episode, but already on Monday evening the two teams condemned the insults and death threats received by Pourchaire for the incident.

Previous

Again, unfortunately, this is nothing new in IndyCar. In the last 14 months, in fact, Callum Ilott (former teammate of Canapino) had been the subject of numerous abuses on social media from supporters of the Argentine driver for the race strategy dating back to Long Beach in 2023 which ruined the #78’s race, and in the same year for an accident between the two drivers at Laguna Seca.

Canapino’s words

Still on social media, Canapino himself wanted to write a long message in Spanish and English: “Of course I am against abuse and hatred. Those who behave this way are certainly not part of our community and are not welcome here. We Argentines are passionate and euphoric, but that doesn’t mean we should be accused of something we are not. Therefore, I firmly refuse to be generalized and placed in a category we do not deserve. I have not seen a single death threat directed at those who claim to have received it. From last year to now, no one in their right mind would do such a thing. It is scandalous to be accused of this so lightly and I will not allow it again. If anyone has done something like this, IT IS NOT PART OF US and we do not deserve to be considered this way because of some misfit that WE STRONGLY REJECT. The majority of our fans are respectful and kind people, who I support and thank for their continued support, through good times and bad. I constantly receive abuse and hate, and I have learned to live with it like many people do, choosing to ignore it. There is nothing more sad and miserable than hiding behind social media to insult others. Finally, I take this opportunity to invite everyone to reconsider and help others to reconsider that we must base our actions on respect first and foremost. We are free to express our emotions and feelings, but with respect and tolerance. It is the best way to evolve and improve as a society.”