FIA chief warns of bans over online abuse after Gasly threats

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says Pierre Gasly received 13,000 threats on his life after the Spanish Grand Prix and has warned that people responsible for serious online abuse could be barred from Formula 1 events. Ben Sulayem described the reported threats in an interview during the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin. The figure and circumstances are based on his account; the reports do not independently verify the number. He said the FIA could ban spectators and media members who engage in serious abuse, and that artificial intelligence could help expose people hiding behind anonymous online accounts. He did not provide operational details on how the technology would identify users or how any bans would be applied. The comments outlined possible measures rather than confirming that the FIA had identified or sanctioned anyone. The threats followed an incident involving Gasly and Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto in the closing stages of the Spanish Grand Prix. Colapinto was frustrated as Gasly appeared to hold him up while Gasly was still due to pit. Gasly pitted at the end of the lap, and Colapinto retained his position. According to one account of the race,...