Yuki Tsunoda Fined for Using Ableist Slur

Yuki Tsunoda has been fined for making inappropriate comments on team radio. It was a disability slur that he used. He claims that he did not know what it meant because of the language barrier. It’s a fairly specific word that was used, and I don’t know why somebody would feel so comfortable using such a word if they don’t know the true meaning of the negative connotations associated.  

But what bothers me more than this is all of the ableist comments about how it was too harsh to penalise Yuki and that we no longer have freedom of speech because apparently, it was fine for such a word to be used. 

Firstly, can I thank Yuki for the apology. Thank you for owning that and taking responsibility. 

To everybody else, this is the reason people with a disability have a greater chance of self harm and/or suicidal thoughts. Because they’re already struggling, and instead of support, they see other Motorsport fans being ableist and dismissing their feelings, being downright rude and demeaning. 

Like Yuki said, there is no place in the sport for that sort of language and it should never be tolerated. Maybe the FIA and Formula 1 need to look at some lessons for an inclusive behaviour model for drivers. 

#disabilityawareness #inclusion #motorsport #f1 #yukitsunoda #accessibility #inclusivesport #inclusivespeech