Austria’s only professional junior driver programme has joined motorsport’s governing body’s initiative against online abuse
Online abuse in motorsport is a growing crisis, with global surveys showing that 75% of sporting federations report athletes and competitors regularly face direct threats of harm.
The United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign, led by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, has tracked widespread digital harassment across racing and other sports.
Since its launch in 2023, UAOA has been working collaboratively with sporting organisations across the globe, as well as with national governments, social media and technology platforms and others to produce research-based evidence of online abuse in sport as well as the solutions to tackle this phenomenon.
Formelaustria Race Academy (FARA), Austria’s only academy dedicated to nurturing the next generation of motorsport talent, has priorities that extend beyond simply developing fast drivers. They are committed to building a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment—both on and off the track – for their talents aged between 13 and 19.
By joining the FIA’s UAOA coalition, FARA is taking a clear stand to protect its athletes and team, promote digital respect, and drive real change by supporting research, policy advocacy, and collaborative industry action to combat cyberbullying in sport.
“Creating a safe space for everyone in our sport requires collective action, which is why having Formelaustria Race Academy join our coalition is so meaningful,” said H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA and UAOA Founder.
“As an academy dedicated to nurturing young talent, their commitment helps ensure that the next generation of drivers can grow, compete, and thrive free from online abuse. With each new signatory to the UAOA Charter, we strengthen our dedication to protect the people who make motorsport possible.”
Harold Ian Miltner, programme director of FARA, said: “Even though our drivers appear to be grown, thoroughbred racing professionals, at the end of the day, they are still teenagers. And we all know what only abuse can do to adults, let alone kids.”
“Therefore, it was obvious that we would support an initiative like UAOA and join forces to battle this disease,” he added.
Karting talents and top sim racers from Austria—as well as from abroad—can apply for admission to the Formelaustria Race Academy by contacting office@formelaustria.at
About the Formelaustria Race Academy (FARA): Founded in 2024 by HM Sports and Renauer Motorsport, the Formelaustria Race Academy (FARA) is a two-year programme supporting karting talents or top sim racers in becoming professional F4 drivers. In year one, the talents do a lot of testing and clubsport F4 racers, as a build-up for entering a FIA F4 championship in year two. In addition, the academy members are trained in various off track key areas as well.
About the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) coalition: Founded in 2023 by H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) coalition is an award-winning global initiative dedicated to combatting online abuse in sport through research, policy advocacy, and collaborative action. UAOA is endorsed by more than 75 governments, sports, academic institutions and technology organisations, and is supported by the FIA Foundation and co-funded by the European Union.
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