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Sebastian Vettel in Spielberg: "I think there should be zero tolerance"
Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
After the reports of racist, homophobic and sexist insults on the sidelines of the Formula 1 race in Spielberg, Austria, Sebastian Vettel has demanded clear consequences.
"Whoever these people are, they should be ashamed and banned from racing events for life," said the four-time Formula 1 world champion: "I think there should be zero tolerance."
It's okay to have fun and drink too much.
"But that doesn't justify or excuse any wrongdoing," Vettel said.
Almost all Formula 1 drivers shared the assessment.
In the discussion about fan behavior, Max Verstappen suggested an alcohol limit as a possible solution.
"You sometimes do stupid things when you drink alcohol.
I don't mean to apologize for that.
But you could regulate that.
There is a certain amount of alcohol.”
On the Spielberg Grand Prix weekend, women in particular reported whistling at themselves or other women on Twitter.
A girl who sold ice cream was constantly being harassed by older drunk men.
A female Lewis Hamilton fan was reportedly told by Verstappen supporters that she didn't deserve any respect.
The perpetrators are said to be mostly Dutch fans.
Such descriptions could not initially be verified.
Formula 1 responded immediately with a statement.
It spoke of "completely unacceptable comments" at the Austrian Grand Prix.
"We take these matters very seriously." Shortly thereafter, record world champion Hamilton spoke up.
He was "disgusted and disappointed to hear that some fans have been confronted with racist, homophobic and generally offensive behavior," he wrote on Instagram.
It is now time to act.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc won the race in Austria.
He prevailed over Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes.
Mick Schumacher scored points for the second time in a row in sixth place in his Haas racing car and achieved the best result of his young career.
Sebastian Vettel had to settle for 17th place, in the meantime he had left the track in his Aston Martin and dropped back.
aar/dpa