Motorsport fans know the thrill of a high-stakes race can quickly turn to heartbreak—especially when things go wrong on track.
Unfortunately, rising stars in racing don’t just face challenges behind the wheel but also online.
Recently, Formula 2’s promising talent Alex Dunne found himself overwhelmed by toxic messages after a dramatic crash at the Monaco Grand Prix, forcing him to step back from social media.
The Monaco Crash That Sparked Outrage
At just 19 years old, Alex Dunne is making waves in Formula 2, driving for McLaren’s junior team and currently leading the championship.
But during the Monaco race on May 25, an intense moment at the first corner turned chaotic.
Dunne collided with Victor Martins from ART Grand Prix, causing a massive 11-car pile-up just moments after the start.
The crash was so severe it stopped the race with a red flag before a single lap was completed.
Dunne later opened up about the fallout: “I got a lot of stuff after Monaco,” he shared.
“Usually, I don’t pay much attention to negative comments, but an hour after the race, I deleted social media from my phone. I’ve never seen messages that bad in my life. Some of them were really upsetting.”
The FIA Steps In to Defend Its Drivers
The backlash didn’t go unnoticed.
The FIA quickly issued a strong statement condemning online abuse under their “United Against Online Abuse” campaign.
They called on fans and the wider motorsport community to show respect for athletes and teams alike.
“On behalf of our teams and drivers across F1, F2, and F3, the FIA firmly condemns any form of abuse and harassment,” the statement said.
“We will continue to report abuse to social media platforms. At the end of the day, behind every helmet is a human being driven by passion.”
Dunne Isn’t Alone: Online Hate Hits Other Drivers
Alex Dunne’s experience is sadly not unique.
Jack Doohan, another young driver and former Alpine prospect, recently spoke out after a fake social media post was falsely attributed to his father, sparking harassment against his family.
“They edited the original content to make it look like my dad posted it, which isn’t true,” Doohan explained.
“Please stop targeting my family. I never expected it to get this bad.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also weighed in, emphasizing zero tolerance for abuse.
“No one should face threats, hatred, or discrimination. Abuse and toxicity have no place in our sport.
We are taking firm steps—raising awareness, supporting those affected, and pushing for change to protect everyone involved.”
The Aftermath of the Monaco Pile-Up
Back to the race: that first-corner collision was the weekend’s defining moment.
Dunne had a slow start from pole and lost the inside line to Martins.
When Dunne’s car understeered into Martins’ sidepod, both slammed into the barriers with nowhere for the drivers behind to escape.
Eleven drivers had to retire after the crash, including Dutch racer Richard Verschoor, who suffered front wheel damage.
Tempers flared immediately, with Martins angrily asking his team over the radio, “Who does he think he is, Max Verstappen?”
After a long delay, the race restarted with fewer cars.
Jak Crawford seized the opportunity, winning the race after a smart pit stop under the safety car.
Leonardo Fornaroli, who led much of the race, finished second.
The race ended early due to another red flag.
Looking Ahead: Can Dunne Bounce Back?
Despite the chaos and abuse, Alex Dunne remains the championship leader after six rounds and is still very much in the title fight.
His Monaco experience was a harsh lesson, but it hasn’t derailed his breakout season.
What happens next for Dunne and the rest of the F2 grid remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: respect and kindness online need to catch up with the passion we all share for racing.