Formula 1, the FIA and Mercedes have condemned racist comments aimed at Lewis Hamilton via social media during and after Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
This comes after the seven-time world champion was deemed at fault for a controversial clash with Max Verstappen on the opening lap at Silverstone, which saw the Dutchman taken to hospital following a 51G impact with the tyre barrier before later being released.
“During, and after, yesterday’s British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was subjected to multiple instances of racist abuse on social media following an in-race collision,” read a joint statement.
“Formula 1, The FIA and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms.
A win for all of the UK. ❤️?? pic.twitter.com/XCjbKPyfwl
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 18, 2021
“These people have no place in our sport and we urge that those responsible should be held accountable for their actions.
“Formula 1, the FIA, the drivers and the teams are working to build a more diverse and inclusive sport, and such unacceptable instances of online abuse must be highlighted and eliminated.”
We at InsideRacing agree that, whether Hamilton was to blame or not for the incident, that does not give anyone the right to aim abuse based on the colour of his skin and will ban anyone posting such comments on our social media channels.
Sadly, this is just the latest example of black sportsmen being targeted with three England footballers all suffering similar reactions after missing penalties in the Euro 2020 final just a week ago.
This has to stop and has to stop now.