Yahoo Autos [UPDATED] Pourchaire receives threats after Canapino contact
NTT IndyCar Series rookie Theo Pourchaire has received more than a dozen threatening direct messages since he crashed into the No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevy driven by Argentina’s Agustin Canapino with his No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevy on lap 60 of the 100-lap Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old Frenchman was eventually ordered by IndyCar to surrender three positions for the hit, but it didn’t significantly affect his end result. As the contact happened, his No. 6 Chevy took eighth place while Canapino fell to ninth and eventually finished 12th. Pourchaire was credited with 10th at the checkered flag.
I’m sad I received so much hate and death threats in the last 24 hours for such a small incident in the Detroit GP.
I hope people can understand that we are all humans and we can make mistakes. But it’s not normal to abuse people online..
Please be kind to each other 🙏🏻🫶🏻 https://t.co/JWKU2IYEFF
— Théo Pourchaire (@TPourchaire) June 3, 2024
Pourchaire made his team aware of the first wave of threats, believed to be from fans of Canapino, hours after the race, and awoke to more threats of physical violence on Monday morning.
Adding to the complications is the new business relationship forged between Arrow McLaren and Juncos Holling Racing, which allows Arrow McLaren to place logos on the rear wheel ramps of JHRs cars when it has extra sponsorship inventory and is unable to fit them on its three cars.
The latest incident with social media threats marks the third related to on-track clashes involving Canapino. The first, in April of 2023, was aimed by fans at his then-teammate Callum Ilott at Long Beach. The second, also involving Ilott, took place in September at Laguna Seca.
“No one should be the victim of online abuse or threats,” read a statement from the IndyCar Series. “IndyCar has been in touch with both teams to discuss this matter and made certain where we stand. We all have a responsibility to reinforce a welcoming atmosphere and firmly denounce clear violations of online conduct.”
The teams issued a joint statement on social media in response to the matter:
Arrow McLaren and @juncoshollinger will not tolerate any form of abuse or discrimination. Those participating in such actions are not welcome in our online community.
Arrow McLaren and @juncoshollinger will not tolerate any form of abuse or discrimination. Those participating in such actions are not welcome in our online community.
— Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (@ArrowMcLaren) June 3, 2024
Later, Juncos Hollinger followed up with a statement of its own:
“Following the racing incident that occurred in Detroit we have seen a rise of online abuse towards our competitors,” it read. “At Juncos Hollinger Racing, abuse, hatred, and harassment in any form is unacceptable. It is not tolerated within the Juncos Hollinger Racing community, and is not representative of who we are as a team.
“We are working with those affected to identify the individuals responsible, and any violators of this policy will be blocked from the Juncos Hollinger Racing community.
“We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all, and believe that no one should be made to feel unwelcome. As IndyCar fans, we must all work together to create a community where everyone is treated with respect and kindness.”
This story has been updated since its original publication to include statements from the NTT IndyCar Series and Juncos Hollinger Racing.
