For the second time in a short time there have been reports of sexual harassment and attacks, especially against women, after a Formula 1 race. Apparently, as in Austria, there are similar incidents at the Dutch Grand Prix. More than 20 women describe such attacks.
Formula 1 is facing its next fan scandal. After numerous women had already reported sexual harassment and insults at the Austrian Grand Prix, the incidents have now apparently been repeated at the Dutch Grand Prix. More than 20 women were reported to have been subjected to insults and sexual harassment at last weekend’s race in Zandvoort.
Those affected reported to the official Formula 1 fan club for women about unwanted photos and videos as well as insults and sexual assaults. Some women were groped by male visitors on the buttocks, legs and breasts.
One of the victims was 21-year-old Naomi, who declined to give her last name and told Dutch TV broadcaster NOS: “I’ve been looking forward to the race for two years. But after this experience, I don’t think I’ll ever do it again going to a Formula 1 race.”
She currently has abrasions and plasters on her knees after a fall, Naomi said: “And I’ve heard the men say, ‘She had a good time on her knees yesterday’, ‘She was busy all last night’ and ‘Oh, you can do it without a band-aid.'” She was also referred to as a “slut” according to her statement. The men would have targeted her especially when she was traveling alone: ??”I’ve never felt so dirty, humiliated and inferior at an event. And insecure. That’s why we went home as soon as possible after the race .”
43-year-old Sara, whose name was changed by NOS, also reported bad scenes. Men stopped her on the way to the toilet and “turned on” her. When her husband briefly left the stands and she danced to a song, a strange man simply took her hand. “And when I looked up, I saw that his friends were filming it. When my husband got back, we left immediately.” The Dutchwoman confirmed that she would continue to go to Formula 1 in the future: “But there has to be a man there. As a woman alone, it’s terrible.”
Formula 1 has not yet commented on the latest incidents, the premier class reacted to similar incidents in Spielberg with a statement in which they strongly condemned the behavior of the male fans.
The organizers of the race in Zandvoort have already been informed about what is happening and said in a first statement: “Every incident is one too many. We are doing everything we can to guarantee the safety of our visitors and to enable them to have a pleasant stay .”
