The FIA, F1 and Mercedes team have issued a joint statement post the deluge of racism coming out against Lewis Hamilton in the aftermath of his controversial victory in the British GP. Hamilton collided with championship leader and his main rival for the 2021 season Max Verstappen who crashed out. Hamilton was penalised with a 10-second penalty, but he still managed to win the race overtaking Charles Leclerc in the penultimate lap of the race.
In the aftermath of his victory, there has been an uproar where many including Verstappen labelled Hamilton's behaviour unsportsmanlike and the Red Bull team boss called for the 7-time world champion to be handed a race ban. The criticism against Hamilton also triggered a lot of racial abuse against the world champion. In light of the racial slurs that just come a week after a lot of racial slurs against the African American members of the English football team that lost the finals of the European championships.
"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," said the three in an official statement.
Hamilton overcome a 10-second penalty to over take Leclerc at the fag end of the race
Even Red Bull came out stating that there was no space for racism in Formula One. "As a team, we are disgusted and saddened to witness the racist abuse Lewis endured yesterday on social media after the collision with Max. There is never any excuse for it, there is certainly no place for it in our sport and those responsible should be held accountable," said the Red Bull statement.
Hamilton of course is the only black driver in the history of Formula One. He's become the most successful driver of all time and recently has become a champion for diversity in F1. He recently released the Hamilton commission report as well to improve diversity in the sport. However, since he joined Mercedes in 2013, in the turbo-hybrid era of the sport his excessive dominance has led to a lot of negativity against the Briton who is on track to overhaul the joint record of most world championships by a driver currently held by himself and Michael Schumacher.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull's domination meant that Hamilton and Mercedes had not won in over 5 races
Verstappen's rise and thrilling challenge provided by the faster Red Bull has given rise to a fan base that just wants Hamilton to lose which was a big catalyst in the racist abuse the 7-time world champion experienced after his victory at the British GP.
