F1 condemns online racist abuse of Lewis Hamilton after British GP victory

Mercedes, Formula One and its governing body, the FIA, have issued a joint statement condemning the online racist abuse aimed at Lewis Hamilton following Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

Hamilton, 36, was targeted following his crash with rival Max Verstappen on the opening lap of Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion delivered a superb comeback drive to record his eighth win on home soil at Silverstone, while Verstappen was taken to hospital following the 190mph shunt which registered at 51G.

The statement read: “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 One, 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 One, 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.”

Hamilton and Verstappen, the only two drivers in the hunt for the title, had gone wheel to wheel across the opening lap at Silverstone. They touched as Hamilton attempted to pass up the inside of the fast Copse corner, leading to the Dutchman’s crash.

Hamilton went on to win despite receiving a 10-second penalty for having been adjudged to have caused the collision but there was anger from the Red Bull team and Verstappen after the race.

The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, said: “Lewis is a seven-times world champion and that was an amateur’s mistake and a desperate mistake. We were very lucky someone wasn’t seriously injured.”

Verstappen, who was taken to hospital but given the all-clear, said: “Very disappointed with being taken out like this,” he wrote. “The penalty given does not help us and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track. Watching the celebrations while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour but we move on.”