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Formula One Williams driver Nicholas Latifi cops death threats after F1 finale in Abu Dhabi

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Nicholas Latifi of Canada and Williams looks on during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Camera IconABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Nicholas Latifi of Canada and Williams looks on during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) Credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

After his crash sparked arguably Formula One’s most controversial season finale, Williams driver Nicholas Latifi has revealed he has copped shocking on-line abuse including death threats.

The Canadian says he expected to be targeted after his late crash at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix proved the catalyst for a chaotic end to the title race.

The 26-year-old crashed into a wall with five laps left, bringing out the safety car, while Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton was leading.

It allowed Max Verstappen to pit for fresher tyres and ultimately overtake Hamilton to win the drivers’ championship following a controversial call by Australia’s FIA race director Michal Masi.

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Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Camera IconLewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Credit: Lars Baron/Getty Images

Latifi said he was no stranger to on-line abuse but was disturbed by the hate following the season finale, claiming it “crossed the line”.

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“What shocked me was the extreme tone of the hate, abuse, and even the death threats I received,” he wrote on his website.

“To use those opinions to fuel hatred, abuse and threats of violence, not only to me, but to those closest to me as well, tells me these people are not true fans of the sport.”

Before Latifi’s crash, Hamilton had been heading for a record eighth title.

But confusion reigned in the wake of the bingle after Masi changed his mind to allow five lapped cars to pass the safety car, meaning Verstappen had a clear run at Hamilton in the final lap and on much faster tyres.

Verstappen claimed his 10th race win of 2021 and was confirmed as the new world champion after two Mercedes appeals were dismissed.

Latifi said on his website that he had decided to address the abuse he had received in a bid to spark another conversation about the “drastic consequences” of online bullying.

Nicholas Latifi
Camera IconWilliams driver Nicholas Latifi copped death threats after a controversial end to the F1 season. Credit: EPA

“As soon as the chequered flag dropped, I knew how things were likely to play out on social media,” the 26-year-old said.

“The fact that I felt it would be best if I deleted Instagram and Twitter on my phone for a few days says all we need to know about how cruel the online world can be.

“I’m no stranger to being talked about negatively online.

“But as we’ve seen time and time again, across all different sports, it only takes one incident at the wrong time to have things completely blown out of proportion and bring out the worst in people who are so-called ‘fans’ of the sport.”

Latifi said he had developed a thick skin and let “any negativity wash over me” during his career.

“But many of the comments I received last week crossed the line into something far more extreme,” he said.

“It concerns me how somebody else might react if this same level of abuse was ever directed at them.

“I know I’m not alone in thinking that a negative comment always seems to stick out more - and can sometimes be enough to drown out 100 positive ones.”

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