Lewis Hamilton has been targeted with racial abuse both during and after the British Grand Prix on Sunday.
Hamilton won the Grand Prix ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who he overtook with just three laps remaining.
He was given a 10-second penalty for a collision with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on lap one, which caused the Dutchman to retire.
After serving the penalty, Hamilton briefly dropped to fifth before charging through the field, passing Lando Norris, Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Leclerc on his way to his eighth British Grand Prix victory.
During and after the race, Hamilton was subjected to racial abuse on social media, both on his own and Mercedes’s official accounts.
Mercedes statement on Hamilton racist abuse
Mercedes have since released a statement condemning the abuse, and have urged that those responsible should be held accountable.
They said: “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.
“Formula 1, the FIA and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms.
“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.”
Brundle calls Hamilton racist abuse “totally unacceptable”
Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle said the racial abuse aimed at Hamilton is “totally unacceptable”.
“It’s awful, it’s completely unacceptable and really scary what can come in from all around the world on your social media inbox,” he said.
“I look at mine less and less these days because there’s just so much nonsense coming through, but this is more than nonsense – it is very serious and totally unacceptable.
“I’m really pleased to see all of the teams and the FIA and Formula 1 making a very strong statement about that this very morning.”
Hamilton has been a leading figure in Formula 1 in the fight against racism and inequality.
He set up the Hamilton Commission last year into improving representation of Black people in UK motorsport, with an independent group made up of 14 experts and industry leaders.
The Board of Commissioners include Hamilton himself, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Dr Hayaatum Sillem, Shadow Minister for Digital, Science & Technology, Chi Onwurah MP, and Hamilton’s former McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
The Commission presented its report, titled ‘Accelerating Change: Improving Representation of Black People in UK Motorsport’, earlier this month after a 10-month research period.
It makes 10 recommendations to help improve diversity in the motorsport industry, and includes case studies of racism and discrimination within UK motorsport teams.
Upon the publishing of the report, Hamilton stated: “I am proud to have published The Hamilton Commission report, Accelerating Change: Improving Representation of Black People in UK Motorsport, alongside The Royal Academy of Engineering.
“Through this report, I feel that we have a clearer understanding of what is preventing the motorsport industry from being truly representative.
“I am committed to turning these recommendations into action and making real, lasting change for the better.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty