Max Verstappen urges Orange Army to ‘drink less and behave appropriately’ at the Austrian GP
The Orange Army were condemned for abusive behavior at the 2022 Austrian GP.
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The Orange Army and Max Verstappen (Credits: Grand Prix 24/7 and Sports Mole)
The 2022 Austrian Grand Prix saw Max Verstappen‘s ‘Orange Army’ passionate fanbase face negative attention. The Dutchman’s ardent supporters crossed the line at the Red Bull home race, with several attendees reporting incidents of provocation, insults, sexual harassment, racism, and even physical assaults.
It created an atmosphere where young women and fans of other drivers no longer felt secure in the vicinity of the passionate orange crowd. They even cheered when Lewis Hamilton crashed.
Max Verstappen condemned this behavior last year after the proceedings, deeming it unacceptable. A year later, Verstappen has given his ‘Orange Army’ some advice. He has told them to refrain from consuming large quantities of alcohol to watch the race and enjoy it rather than tarnish the event with a hateful demeanor.
He said, “Don’t get too drunk! Just watch the race and have fun. They will bring vibrant orange colors to the grandstands, creating an atmosphere akin to a home race for Max Verstappen. It’s always nice to see the color orange next to the track,” said Verstappen. He added that the Spielberg circuit allows fans to see a lot of the track from every grandstand, making it unique in that sense.
Lewis Hamilton also urges fans to avoid a repeat of last year’s shameful incidents at this year’s race
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has issued a stern reminder that addressing fan harassment requires a proactive approach, emphasizing the importance of avoiding complacency. Following the implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence of the abusive incidents that tainted the previous Austrian Grand Prix, the British driver has called on the sport to take a firm stand to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment within F1.
Hamilton expresses concern about the possibility of the same group of people resurfacing and has spoken to the media. Despite F1 having taken some measures, he feels more should be done to limit the chances of a recurring incident, as well as setting the stand for behavior in a Formula One grandstand.
He said, “Especially when we come to such a beautiful place, it was very sad to hear what happened last year. I know that Formula 1 has taken some measures, but I still have the feeling that something still needs to be done. We just have to be clear about how we expect people to behave in this space, and it’s inclusive and for everyone. I hope last year was a one-off and I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”
Based on the events of last year, where early drinking in the surrounding campsites was observed, leading to some individuals arriving at the circuit already intoxicated, there is a potential for similar situations to arise again. The new rules have been communicated to fans, but it is yet to be seen how it will play out.
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Tanuj Sadasivam
(245 Articles Published)