Calls Lance Stroll "Autistic", F1 Commentator Suspended From Job

Lance Stroll (Instagram.com/@lance_stroll)

JAKARTA - Formula 1 (F1) commentator has been sentenced to suspension pending an investigation after allegedly committing insults directed at driver Lance Stroll during the Australian Grand Prix.

Quoted from the Daily Stars, Thursday, the commentator is a Frenchman named Lionel Froissart who works for Belgian broadcaster RTBF Sport. When broadcasting the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Arena last week, throughout the race Froissart referred to Lance as autistic.

During the race, Gaetan Vigneron as the second commentator who realized this immediately rebuked Froissart. However, the perpetrator denied it.

"That (as Froissart said) was too harsh. You're going too far," said Vigneron.

“Honestly, this is the truth,” replied Froissart.

After the broadcast ended, Froissart's actions immediately drew criticism on social media. Realizing this, the RTBF where Froissart works immediately released a statement condemning the words used while confirming that Froissart had been suspended from his job.

"RTBF strongly condemns the words used on Sunday, July 10, on the air by its consultant Lionel Froissart during the Austrian Grand Prix," the statement read.

"Associating autism with the way drivers communicate is misplaced and in no way consistent with RTBF values. An internal investigation will be conducted, to hear from everyone involved.

"The aim is to understand in detail what could have caused this incident. Pending the outcome of this investigation, RTBF will no longer be working with the consultant concerned until further notice," the statement concluded.

Regardless of what Froissart did, Lance Stroll went through the Austrian series racing to the end by finishing in 13th place. At the World Championships, the Canadian sits 19th after scoring just three points in the first 11 races of the season.