Colapinto and Bortoleto back FIA's online abuse guidelines

Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto have welcomed the FIA's revised Online Community Guidelines, which were unveiled at the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend on November 7. The updated rules expand the governing body's classification of digital harm into seven categories, covering areas such as toxic content, impersonation, surveillance and account lockout.

Colapinto said the issue needs continued attention across the sport, adding that he had been fighting against online abuse this year. Bortoleto described the FIA as doing a very good job and said constructive criticism is acceptable, but threats and negative judgements are not. He said abusers hide behind screens.

The FIA has also deployed automated moderation software, Arwen.ai, to filter abusive comments in real time, and has built referral pathways with law enforcement through its United Against Online Abuse coalition.