The United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) initiative marks a significant milestone at the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, as it brings its global campaign for safer online communities to Latin America and announces the new FIA Guidelines for Online Communities.
The action at the São Paulo Grand Prix comes at a particularly timely moment. Research and monitoring conducted by UAOA indicate that a substantial portion of online abuse currently originates in Latin America, making the region a key focal point for awareness and action.
As part of the initiative, Formula 1 drivers were invited to sign a special helmet bearing the UAOA mark, establishing a collective commitment against online abuse and demonstrating the sport’s dedication to respect and responsibility on the internet. The helmet will be auctioned, and all proceeds will be donated to a local Latin American organization that works to prevent cyberbullying and protect young people online.
The weekend will also serve as a platform to introduce the new “FIA Online Community Guidelines,” developed by UAOA after a comprehensive review of best practices inside and outside the sport. Designed to foster respectful engagement and, at the same time, protect open discussion, the guidelines offer practical recommendations for moderation, reporting, and management of online communities. UAOA has also created a standard template that can be adapted by sports organizations of all sizes.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA and founder of UAOA says: “Online abuse is more than words on a screen. It has real consequences, affecting the lives and well-being of millions of young people in Latin America and around the world. Today, here in São Paulo, we stand with our drivers and the motorsport community at large to send a strong message: there is no room for online abuse in our sport or in our society. On the track we race. Online, we respect. Together, we have the power and the responsibility to drive hate out of the sport and to build a safer environment for future generations.”
Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA Vice-President for South America, says: “Brazil has always been passionate about the sport, and with that passion comes the responsibility to help build positive and respectful communities, both on and off the track. Online abuse affects millions of people, especially young people, and demands collective action. I am proud to support United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) by bringing this important discussion to São Paulo. Through initiatives like this, sport can use its unique influence to promote respect, digital responsibility, and a culture where everyone feels safe to participate and express themselves online.”
The São Paulo initiative reflects UAOA’s founding principles—“Stronger Together,” “Evidence-Based,” and “Committed to Action”—while also demonstrating how collaborative efforts can drive meaningful change both within sport and beyond.
About United Against Online Abuse (UAOA)
Founded in 2023 by H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, UAOA was created to address the growing impact of online abuse in sport through research, education, advocacy, and practical solutions. Today, the coalition brings together more than 85 organizations from the sports, governments, academia, and technology sectors, united by a shared commitment to creating online environments that are safer and more respectful.
