Arrow McLaren terminates cooperation with Juncos Hollinger Racing after incidents on the track and threats on social media

An on-track incident that resulted in online harassment has led to the termination of a commercial partnership between two IndyCar teams.

Arrow McLaren announced on Thursday morning that it had abruptly terminated a business agreement with Juncos Hollinger Racing following an unsatisfactory response to an incident involving driver Agustín Canapino. His Argentinian fans had attacked McLaren driver Théo Pourchaire with vicious threats following a chance collision between the two drivers on Sunday at the Detroit Grand Prix.

“This decision follows actions taken on social media earlier this week in relation to an on-track incident at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix,” Arrow McLaren said in a statement on Thursday. “In line with the team’s social media community code, Arrow McLaren does not tolerate any form of abuse or discrimination and strongly condemns online abuse directed at our team and our driver.”

Canapino’s fans attacked another Arrow McLaren driver, Callum Ilott, in a similar manner last year.

Although Arrow McLaren and JHR released a joint statement condemning the latest incident, Canapino’s response did not seem as convincing. He released a confusing statement on X, saying he did not condone the attacks on social media but also questioned whether they existed. The driver added that he had learned to deal with online hate on his own by ignoring it.

“We Argentines are passionate and euphoric, but that does not mean we should be accused of something we are not. That is why I firmly refuse to be generalized and put in a category that we do not deserve,” he wrote in his statement on Tuesday.

I hope and wish that this will be the first and last time I want to talk about it.

I hope and wish that this is the first and last time I have to talk about this. pic.twitter.com/5m6db2ctLS

— Agustin Canapino 🇦🇷 (@AgustinCanapino) June 4, 2024

Canapino also liked several posts from people who attacked Pourchaire.

(Photo: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images)