Russell wants jeering fans to be 'stamped out' of F1

George Russel says there should be no place in F1's grandstands for jeering fans after the Mercedes driver experienced some abuse recently in Montreal.

The advent of social media has given a megaphone to everyone and their dog to express a viewpoint, but more frequently abuse towards celebrities or public figures.

Formula 1 and its drivers aren't immune to the haters on social media, but in Canada recently during the F1 drivers' parade lap, Russell was on the receiving of a hosing by a fan in the grandstands, for no apparent reason.

• Read also: Mercedes has taken 'the fun side' out of Russell, says Norris

"I think as your profile raises there's a lot of positives that come with it, no doubt," said the Mercedes charger. "But there are also downsides to it that also take a bit of readjusting.

"In Montreal, I had somebody shout my name and boo at me. And I'm just sat in the car on the drivers’ parade.

"And it's quite a strange thing to comprehend that this 35-40 year old guy is booing at me when I don't even know him.

"I'm just trying to keep myself to myself and just trying to do my best every single race I go to and put on a good show and be polite and pleasant to everyone.

"So there are some things that you need to sort of get used to, and just accept that this is unfortunately the world and society we live in at the moment."

While many would argue that jeering fans are part of every sport's fabric and always have been, Russell believes the derisive whooping is another offensive behaviour that needs to be dealt with.

"This is another example of something that needs to be stamped out," he said.

"What gives that guy the right to boo at anyone? What gives the right for these football fans hurling abuse at the players?

"They're just doing their job, doing their best to have a career. And I think that's what a lot of people don't really appreciate in this position."

On Thursday at Silverstone while walking at on the track and shooting T-shirts into the grandstands, championship leader Max Verstappen was loudly booed by a contingent of British fans, an attitude that surprised Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

"It’s never nice to hear boos for any driver and it’s unusual for a British Grand Prix crowd to do that, because they usually appreciate all drivers," Horner said.

"But it’s something that he accepts. Lewis is their favourite driver here, I’ve got no issue with that.

"Next weekend, there's gonna be another home race for us in Austria. I'm sure the team is going to have huge support with another 30,000 Dutch fans there."

"This is sport, isn't it? That is competition," concluded Horner.

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