Theo Pourchaire Opens Up About “Hate and Death Threats” After IndyCar Detroit Incident
French racing driver and Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchere has recently found himself at the center of a wave of online abuse following an incident at the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix. Pourcheir, who was making his McLaren debut at the race, collided with JHR’s Augustin Canapino three turns after the restart. This incident happened during a race where the drivers had trouble warming up the tires and a small crash.
Despite the contact, both drivers were able to finish the race. Pourcheir, who is returning to the lineup after sitting out the Indianapolis 500, finished tenth and Canappino was 12th. However, the tragedy was marred by an online attack on Pourshare after the race.
After the race, Porsche revealed he had received several hate messages and death threats, prompting a joint response from JHR and Arrow McLaren. In a statement published on McLaren’s website, the teams stressed the importance of respect and courtesy in online communications.
“The past 24 hours have unfortunately served as a stark reminder of the importance of respect and civility in our online interactions,” the statement said. “Social media allows us to connect with our fans around the world, but it’s important that we respect each other and communicate in a safe environment. We do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination, and those who do are welcome. our online community and is prohibited.
JHR also issued a further statement confirming that it is working to identify those responsible for the offensive posts and any violators will be banned from the Juncos Hollinger Racing community.
Pourchier, who filled in for the injured David Malukas in IndyCar, took to social media to express his condolences and humanity to fans. “I am saddened to have received so much hate and death threats in the past 24 hours for such a small event at the Detroit Grand Prix,” he wrote. “I hope people can understand that we are all human and we can make mistakes. But it’s okay to abuse people online. Please be kind to each other.”
The sad episode comes after IndyCar released its own statement in 2023 condemning “disrespectful and inappropriate online abuse” following the Long Beach incident, revealing that Canapino’s then-teammate Calum Ilott had received death threats from Argentine fans. :
Poucher’s situation highlights the growing need to tackle online violence in sports, ensuring that everyone involved, from drivers to fans, can enjoy racing in a safe and respectful environment. The motorsport community must come together to promote a culture of respect and decency, always remembering that no matter what happens on the track, we are all human beings with feelings and dignity.
