Ferrari Issues a Strong Verdict as.....

Ferrari Issues a Strong Verdict as…..read more

In a dramatic turn of events that has shaken the motorsport community, Ferrari has issued a strong verdict in the wake of the online abuse directed at rising Formula 2 star Alex Dunne. The young Irish driver was forced to shut down his social media accounts after becoming the target of a vicious digital onslaught, following a controversial crash during the opening lap of the Formula 2 race at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix on May 25.

The incident, which took place in one of the most closely watched races of the season, saw Dunne involved in a first-lap collision that quickly went viral. While details of the crash are still under scrutiny, social media users were quick to assign blame, sparking an avalanche of hostile messages aimed at the 19-year-old. What began as a heated debate among fans spiraled into relentless personal attacks and harassment, pushing Dunne to step away from the online platforms entirely.

In response to the growing outrage, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) released a powerful statement condemning the abuse. The governing body emphasized that while racing incidents are inevitable in motorsport, personal attacks on drivers are unacceptable and must be stopped. “We are appalled by the level of hate directed at Alex Dunne following the Monaco incident,” the statement read. “Drivers must be held accountable through proper channels, not subjected to digital lynch mobs.”

Ferrari, whose Driver Academy has long been a pipeline for young talent into the pinnacle of motorsport, echoed the FIA’s sentiments with a rare and forceful message of its own. “This kind of behavior has no place in racing or anywhere else,” a Ferrari spokesperson stated. “Young drivers like Alex Dunne are under immense pressure, and while mistakes on track are part of the learning process, public shaming and harassment are not.”

The team’s bold statement sparked a wave of support from other drivers and teams across both F1 and F2, many of whom took to their platforms to stand in solidarity with Dunne. Ferrari’s intervention in particular carries significant weight, given its legendary status in motorsport and its influence over the development of future Formula 1 talent.

Dunne, who had been showing promise in his rookie F2 season, has yet to make a public statement since deactivating his accounts. However, sources close to the driver suggest he is focusing on his racing and trying to stay mentally strong amid the fallout. The FIA has also confirmed it is working with teams and social media platforms to monitor and manage abusive behavior more effectively in the future.

The incident has reignited the conversation around the dark side of fandom in motorsport, and the responsibilities that come with the power of online platforms. As the sport continues to grow globally, the pressure on young drivers is reaching new levels—and so too is the need for systemic protections against abuse.

In this climate, Ferrari’s strong verdict stands as both a defense of Dunne and a warning to the sport’s more toxic elements: enough is enough.