Aston Martin satisfied with RTBF apology following Pundit’s ableist comment against Lance Stroll

Aston Martin satisfied with RTBF apology following Pundit’s ableist comment against Lance Stroll

Following ableist use of the term 'autistic' against Lance Stroll, Aston Martin is satisfied with RTBF's apology.

Lance Stroll has been criticised within the Formula 1 world since he entered it. Many feel, or used to feel that Lance Stroll is undeserving of his F1 seat, and that he is only in one because of his father, Lawrence Stroll, who is part-owner of Aston Martin. However, oftentimes, the criticism crosses the line into hate.

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Criticism by itself is never a problem, but there is certainly a fine line between criticism and insult. Recently, a comment from a RTBF pundit, Lionel Froissart, calling Stroll ‘autistic’ was interpreted as an insult not only towards Lance Stroll, but the autistic and neurodivergent communities as a whole, and the use of the term as an insult is understood to be ableist.

Froissart had said: “Aston Martin wants to keep Sebastian Vettel, it’s not Lance Stroll the autistic who is going to understand anything about cars.” Following this, he was suspended pending an investigation.

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Also Read: “He is autistic,” Belgian commentator suspended after hurling insulting remarks at Lance Stroll

Aston Martin: Pleased that RTBF has issued a full apology

Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll

RBTF’s statement about the situation read: “RTBF strongly condemns the words used on Sunday, July 10, on air by its consultant Lionel Froissart during the Austrian Grand Prix. Associating autism with a driver’s way of communicating was misplaced and completely inconsistent with RTBF values.”

They further added: “An internal investigation will be conducted, to hear all the involved persons. The goal is to understand in detail what could have led to this incident. Pending the results of this investigation, RTBF will no longer work with the consultant in question until further notice.”

As reported by PlanetF1, Aston Martin has told them that they are ‘pleased’ with the apology, and their ‘statement’ read: “Aston Martin is pleased that RTBF has issued a full apology, which we understand from them to be their official line on the matter.”

Moving on from this saga, Lance Stroll will be fully focused on the task at hand in France and Hungary before the summer break starts. The Canadian currently has 3 points, sitting 19th on the table, 12 points behind his teammate, Sebastian Vettel. Last year in France, Aston Martin had scored double points, but in Hungary, Stroll had crashed with Charles Leclerc in an all-around chaotic start, which he’ll hope won’t happen again.

Also Read: “I’m not really that confident in the car,” Lance Stroll admits to lacking conviction in the AMR-22

Also Read: Lance Stroll on the Aston Martin upgrade: “Would have been faster if it was a copy”