Alpine Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan has called for an end to online abuse that has been targeted at his family, Afrosport reports.
The 22-year-old Australian, who is the son of former motorcycling world champion Mick Doohan, was dropped by Alpine after six races and replaced by former Williams driver Franco Colapinto.
Colapinto, however, finished 16th at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday following a massive crash in qualifying.
A picture surfaced online of Colapinto after the crash and Doohan’s father seemingly making a mockery of the Argentine driver, which led to hateful comments towards the 59-year-old.
The younger Doohan, in comments posted on his Instagram Stories, said the image was fabricated
“Multiple Argentine outlets falsely reported the fabricated image, which triggered the online abuse of my family,” he wrote.
“Please stop harassing my family. I didn’t think I would have to get to this point.”
Alpine, in a statement posted on Instagram, condemned the abuse.
“As an F1 team, we believe we are fortunate to be part of a global sport that evokes great passion and emotions, with an ever-growing community of fans who enthusiastically follow their favourite drivers’ every move, whether it be a brave overtake on track or what style they are sporting when they arrive in the paddock,” read the statement.
“We encourage everyone to remember that behind the visor of these superhuman athletes, there is a person, an individual with feelings, family, friends and loved ones.
“As a team, we cannot condone online abuse and urge all fans of this sport we love, to be kind and respectful.”
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Colapinto will race for Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly for the next four F1 races, while Doohan has been demoted to reserve and test driver.
