SPIELBERG, Austria — Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes life bans must be handed out to “brainless” abusive followers after various incidents amongst attendees on the Crimson Bull Ring overshadowed the Austrian Grand Prix.

A number of accounts of homophobic, racist or sexist abuse had been shared on social media by followers within the construct as much as the race.

F1 condemned the abuse in an announcement forward of the race and mentioned it is going to discuss to the organisers of the race to discover a answer going ahead.

Mercedes boss Wolff gave the clearest message of what he considered the followers in query.

“F— off,” Wolff mentioned on Sunday night. “If you’re a part of that class, f— off.”

“We simply want to focus on these guys and decide them out and say ‘you’. That is what Components One has mentioned and we’ve got mentioned and that that you must report back to the safety for those who can. And whoever reads my sentence: keep away, we do not need you if you’re a part of that group.”

A number of of the victims of the abuse had been invited into the paddock earlier than the race.

Mercedes gave a storage tour to at least one Lewis Hamilton fan who printed an account of her abuse on Twitter.

She wrote: “I had a costume on yesterday and a gaggle of 5 Dutch followers lifted up my costume and once I confronted them they mentioned no Hamilton fan deserves any respect in any respect.”

The Austrian Grand Prix is a well-liked race for Dutch followers who make the journey south from the Netherlands to assist reigning world champion Max Verstappen, Hamilton’s 2021 title rival.

Campsites are unfold across the Crimson Bull Ring and the ambiance of the race is usually likened to a music competition.

Verstappen mentioned extreme alcohol consumption might have contributed to the abuse.

“One factor will be improved with safety to maintain folks in verify,” Verstappen mentioned. “It is not an excuse, however they watch the races after which they return and social gathering and have enjoyable and drink alcohol.

“Generally if you drink alcohol you are able to do silly issues — I do not say this as an excuse. This stuff will be regulated.

“A certain quantity of alcohol perhaps till it is time to go to mattress and get up once more the following morning and be sober. As a result of for those who begin to go actually loopy you are able to do silly issues.”

Wolff mentioned F1 should not tarnish a whole fanbase based mostly on the behaviour of a minority, declaring that Hamilton acquired a heat reception on the rostrum after ending in third place.

“I believe it is simply folks being silly,” he mentioned. “I’ve no different clarification for folks abusing — in no matter manner, sexist, hedonistic, homophobic or racist – you might be simply merely brainless. And no alcohol can excuse that.

“The game polarises and triggers feelings, we would like that. We should not condemn all of them however put these few idiots out. We mustn’t come throughout as if we’re condemning a gaggle of followers, as a result of we aren’t. I’ve seen them climbing on the fences and when Lewis stood up I checked out them and no person was booing, and so they had been hardcore and drank and there was nonetheless no booing.

“There are a couple of amoebas — folks with one cell — however let’s not make it a common factor.”

4-time world champion Sebastian Vettel shared Wolff’s view that any followers discovered to be abusing others must be kicked out of occasions and never allowed again.

“Horrible is not it?” Vettel mentioned. “I believe it’s good that these items comes out, that is the beginning, however it’s horrible.

“Whoever these persons are they need to be ashamed of themselves and they need to be banned from racing occasions for his or her lives.

“I believe there must be zero tolerance. If folks have time and drink an excessive amount of that is OK, nevertheless it would not justify or excuse flawed behaviour.

“We race as one, so, the followers are part of that.”

Hamilton, who has pledged upwards of £20 million of his personal cash right into a charity and initiatives round selling range in motor racing, mentioned the Austrian Grand Prix is one other instance of the place motion is required as an alternative of simply statements of condemnation.

“It goes again to a few of the messaging that we talked about when it comes to the stuff we additionally must do right here throughout the sport,” Hamilton mentioned on Sunday night. “Which is commit extra to range and inclusion inside our trade, as a result of that them displays the path that we’re planning to go and it additionally typically does replicate what our fanbase seems like.

“But it surely’s time for motion. We Race As One was all good and effectively nevertheless it was simply phrases, it did not really do something, there was no funding in the direction of something. There was no programme to really create change and spark that dialog. We undoubtedly must utilise the platforms however we actually should step up and begin actioning a few of the issues we’re saying. Simply saying it is unacceptable will not be sufficient.”

Crimson Bull boss Christian Horner mentioned: “I believe relating to these remoted incidents which have occurred, clearly we don’t condone in any manner any type of abuse or bullying or racism, prejudice in any manner form or kind.

“We stand completely united with each member of the Components One neighborhood on that. I used to be happy to listen to on the rostrum at present, definitely from the place I stood, there was no booing from Lewis. Respect for all of the drivers, which is the way it must be.”

The behaviour of the followers had been a speaking level earlier within the weekend, with Hamilton important of followers who had cheered his heavy crash in qualifying, declaring that he might have been significantly damage.

Hamilton additionally criticised Silverstone followers final week for booing Max Verstappen at one level within the build-up to his dwelling race, the British Grand Prix.