abuse

A top Northern Ireland academic has penned a white paper it is hoped can eradicate the “scourge” of online abuse and hate that currently exists across all forms of world motorsport.

Fernando Alonso has said that it is time for his fans to stop posting abusive messages aimed at Vitaly Petrov, following their on-track battle in Abu Dhabi.

Following on from the racist insults directed at newly-crowned 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton in the build-up to the title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos earlier this month, Timo Glock has found himself the latest driver to come in for abuse.

Eddie Irvine has joined David Coulthard and Mark Webber in insisting that Formula 1 does not have a problem with racism - agreeing the recent jibes aimed at newly-crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton were in 'bad taste' but arguing they are not an issue 'as long as they physically don't hurt any

Bernie Ecclestone has brushed off the racist attacks directed at newly-crowned Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton on a Spanish website last week as' probably meant as a joke more than anything', arguing that 'people are entitled to support who they want to support'.