Yuki Tsunoda has spoken out on the online hate he has received since an on-track incident with Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto, claiming that it “crossed a line.”
The Japanese driver came under the fire of the passionate Argentinian Formula 1 fans after he expressed his frustrations with Colapinto when he blocked him during the first practice session on Friday. A moment which would usually be forgotten almost immediately has become one of the main talking points of the weekend due to the excessive online hate the Red Bull driver received afterwards.
While speaking to the media, Tsunoda defended his position as well as claiming that F1 should step in if the hate continues. He explained:
“It’s normal that if you have traffic, and I caught it multiple times, you get frustrated. I think I have the right to say something. I didn’t say the wrong thing, or a very bad thing. I just said [expressed] my frustration, and that’s it.
“I know they are supporting their own country’s driver, but there’s always a line [crossed] that they say something, I guess. And I’m saying this because it’s not [just] to me, but they say things to Doohan. It’s good that they have energy, but control it. I feel like they can use the energy in the right way, a better way.
“If it continues and it gets worse and worse, then at some point F1 should say something.”
Colapinto has also spoken out on the situation, urging his fans to have respect for other drivers. He commented:
“I know they are extremely passionate, and they are always very harsh on people. They have to give respect, and that’s what we all want.
“There is a lot of hate on social media … so of course we always try and want, for all the drivers, to keep it respectful and keep it calm there.”
Both Colapinto and Tsunoda suffered scary, separate, crashes during Qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Thankfully, both drivers were able to walk away from the crashes are were later cleared by the on-site medical center. In the race, Tsunoda crossed the line in tenth after starting from the pit lane, whereas, Colapinto finished in 16th.
The race at Imola was Colapinto’s first race with Alpine after taking Jack Doohan’s seat after the Miami Grand Prix.
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Race results
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2. Lando Norris, McLaren
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
4. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
5. Alex Albon, Williams
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
7. George Russell, Mercedes
8. Carlos Sainz, Williams
9. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
10. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull
11. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
12. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
13. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
14. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
15. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
16. Franco Colapinto, Alpine
17. Oliver Bearman, Haas
18. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
19. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes – DNF
20. Esteban Ocon, Haas – DNF
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