THE (USUAL) FAILURE OF FANDOM

Kimi Antonelli found himself at the center of a wave of offensive comments and baseless accusations on social media after the Qatar Grand Prix. All because of that fourth place that slipped away in the closing moments of the race, when a small mistake allowed Lando Norris to pass him and collect two points that, in a title fight, could prove decisive.

So far, nothing extraordinary: a driving error — it happens to anyone. What makes no sense, however, is the narrative claiming that Antonelli deliberately let Norris through. A theory so absurd it falls apart the moment you watch the onboard footage. And yet, a portion of the fanbase — small but extremely loud — turned the episode into an excuse to vent frustration and anger.

This isn’t the first time I’ve pointed out how a certain segment of Max Verstappen’s supporters has grown toxic in recent years, fueled in part by a media narrative that has constantly exalted the Dutch driver, often at the expense of his rivals. It’s therefore not surprising that fandom has degenerated into this: personal attacks, gratuitous hatred, and completely unfounded accusations.

Mercedes is reportedly considering bringing the matter to the attention of the FIA. It’s unclear what steps they intend to take, but it’s obvious the situation cannot simply be ignored.

The reality is simple — and bitter: as long as Formula 1 continues to be portrayed like a reality show filled with characters to idolize or demonize, rather than as a complex and technical sport, what we’ll keep producing are pseudo-fans incapable of distinguishing a mistake from a conspiracy. We’re cultivating a crowd of “digital ultras,” not enthusiasts able to interpret what actually happens on track.

And Formula 1 bears part of the responsibility. Drive to Survive opened the door to a level of dramatization that, from 2021 onward, has tipped into excess and polarization. It’s hard to compare this era to the past because social media amplifies everything, but the fact remains: rarely has a segment of the fanbase appeared so aggressive — and so uninformed.

And that, today, is perhaps the saddest side of modern Formula 1.

© Simone Marchetti Cavalieri