Argentine IndyCar racer Canapino takes leave amid online abuse row
- Argentinian IndyCar racer Agustin Canapino takes leave of absence amid online abuse controversy.
- The online abuse stemmed from a dispute over an incident during an IndyCar race restart.
- Canapino disputed claims that Argentine fans issued death threats to a rival driver.
Argentinian racer Agustin Canapino has taken a leave of absence from IndyCar racing following online abuse and death threat claims made by French rival Theo Pourchaire. Juncos Hollinger Racing announced that American Nolan Siegel would replace Canapino for the upcoming race at Road America. Canapino denied the death threat claims and expressed his disapproval of online abuse, stating that it is unacceptable. The situation arose after an incident at the Detroit Grand Prix, where Pourchaire accused Canapino's fans of sending him death threats. Canapino defended himself, emphasizing that accusations should not be made lightly. Both drivers participated in a practice session at Road America, but the events have led to a challenging experience for Canapino. The teams involved have condemned online abuse and discrimination, emphasizing the importance of driver safety and mental preparedness. Arrow McLaren terminated its commercial alliance with Juncos Hollinger Racing in response to the situation. The growth of online abuse and harassment has raised concerns for the safety and well-being of the drivers and the IndyCar community.