This is a photograph taken by Travis Hinkle at the INDYCAR Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, featuring Agustin Canapino.
Juncos Hollinger racer Agustín Canapino has finally responded to allegations that his Argentinian fanbase has bombarded McLaren driver Théo Pourchaire with “so much hate and death threats.” Simply put, Canapino doesn’t believe Pourchaire has been abused.
During the recent IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix, Pourchaire unintentionally collided with Canapino on the 60th lap of the race. Although it was primarily a consequence of the track’s tight layout, Pourchaire was penalized and had to surrender three positions. However, the situation escalated when Pourchaire revealed on social media that he had been bombarded with hateful messages. As a result, his Arrow McLaren team felt compelled to publicly denounce the abuse.
Canapino: “I have learned to live with… abuse and hate”
According to a previous report by PlanetF1, Agustín Canapino, the driver for Juncos Hollinger, has been at the center of numerous social media controversies in the IndyCar community. Specifically, Canapino’s loyal fans from Argentina have been known to target his rivals or teammates with online attacks.
Typically, Canapino and Juncos Hollinger choose not to comment on such situations. However, this time, Canapino went against the norm and shared a statement on X in both Spanish and English. This statement not only disregarded Pourchaire’s concerns but also downplayed their significance.
The English statement read in full (EMPHASIS is original):
Naturally, I strongly oppose any form of abuse and hatred. Individuals who partake in such behavior are unequivocally excluded from our community and are not embraced here.
Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that as Argentines, we possess a fervent and exuberant nature. However, it is unjust to label us with accusations that do not align with our true nature. Hence, I vehemently oppose being subjected to generalizations that are undeserved and do not accurately represent us.
I have not seen a single death threat directed at those who claim to have received them. From last year to today, no one in their right mind would do such a thing. It’s outrageous to be accused of this so lightly, and I won’t allow it anymore. If anyone did this, THEY ARE NOT PART OF US, and we don’t deserve to be consider this way because of some misfit WE STRONGLY REJECT.
I wholeheartedly appreciate and back the majority of our fans, who are genuinely considerate and compassionate individuals. I am extremely grateful for their unwavering support, regardless of the ups and downs we face.
I am consistently subjected to mistreatment and animosity, but I have adapted to coexist with it, like many individuals who opt to disregard it. There is nothing more disheartening and wretched than utilizing social media as a shield to demean others.
In conclusion, I would like to extend an invitation to all, urging them to reflect upon and encourage others to prioritize respect in our actions. While we have the freedom to express our emotions and sentiments, it is crucial that we do so with respect and tolerance. This approach serves as the most effective means to progress and enhance our society.
Canapino’s post also mentions his former teammate Callum Ilott, who ultimately separated from Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2023. Ilott revealed that he encountered significant abuse from Canapino fans and reportedly became increasingly frustrated while awaiting a response from Juncos Hollinger Racing.
Catch up on allegations of abuse by Canapino’s IndyCar fanbase:
IndyCar respond with ex-Ferrari junior among drivers receiving death threats
McLaren release statement as Theo Pourchaire receives death threats after IndyCar crash
Marshall Pruett of RACER reports that he has viewed the death threats sent to Théo Pourchaire; he also reports that Arrow McLaren said it shared those messages with JHR.
Additionally, it appeared that Canapino, or someone using his X account, completely disregarded Canapino’s own appeals for tolerance. Fans could see the posts that Canapino had liked, and a significant number of them were derogatory towards Pourchaire or Ilott.
An instance of this can be seen when Canapino showed his support by liking a post from Martin Ponte, an IndyCar commentator from ESPN Latin America. Ponte had quoted Pourchaire’s post discussing abuse, adding the simple phrase, “Callum Pourchaire.”
Fans responding to Canapino’s post noted that his likes were public and available for anyone to see. Canapino has since cleaned up his liked posts but has also gone on to like other posts, one of which could be translated roughly to, “If the hate… comes from Argentina, it is wrong. But if it comes from anywhere else, it is okay?” He has liked still other posts questioning the authenticity of Pourchaire’s claims.
No form of hate and abuse should ever be accepted in motorsport, regardless of whether it is targeted at Théo Pourchaire or Agustín Canapino. Regrettably, it appears that Canapino’s teammates or rivals have been subjected to a significant amount of mistreatment, surpassing that experienced by others.
Additionally, the business partnership between JHR and Arrow McLaren in IndyCar adds another layer of complexity. When Arrow McLaren has surplus sponsorship slots, they utilize them by placing logos on the rear wheel ramps of the JHR Chevrolets. The future implications of this team rivalry on their collaborative efforts remain uncertain.
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