Following the happenings in F1 British GP with the crash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, there were several cases of online racist behaviour which everyone has stepped in to condone.
In the wake of Sunday’s F1 British GP and the divisive Hamilton and Verstappen crash on Lap 1, the Brit was seemingly subject to racist abuse online via social media, in what can be termed as an unfortunate natural phenomenon as seen in general life too.
The above happened after a record eighth British GP victory at Silverstone for Hamilton. He did so after receiving a 10s time penalty as the stewards felt he was more to blame for the crash with Verstappen, who was subsequently taken to hospital for precautionary checks after a heavy impact with the barriers at Copse corner.
Emotions were flying within the paddock too, with Red Bull seemingly upset. Christian Horner termed the win as ‘hollow’, while Verstappen did not like how Hamilton celebrated his victory, while he was in the hospital having medical checks.
Its unfortunate that Hamilton has to be subject to this racist abuse just like footballers Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka earlier in the week after the Euro final loss. It shows restrictions on social media sites regarding racist speech is far too lenient.
Looking at the online hate, Formula 1, the FIA, Mercedes and a number of teams have condemned the abuse and stand as one to kick racism into touch. Every team barring Ferrari had some kind of message – although the Italian manufacturer could still share one.
This comes days after Hamilton’s “Hamilton commission”, an initiative set up to increase the representation of black people in UK motorsport, published it’s first report into the issue last week, where he highlighted systematic racism in the F1 paddock.
Here’s what everyone said:
Formula 1, the FIA and Mercedes provided a joint statement:
“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.”
Red Bull:
“While we may be fierce rivals on track, we are united against racism. We condemn racist abuse of any kind towards our team, our competitors and our fans. 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.
Christian Horner:
“Whilst the rivalry is intense on track for the Championship, highly charged emotions should never cross the line into racist abuse. We have a zero tolerance approach to racist behaviour within our Team and I personally feel strongly that those responsible for this sort of abuse should be held to account. We will continue to support the FIA and F1 in order to eradicate this from our sport.”
McLaren:
“McLaren stands with Formula 1, the FIA, and our fellow teams and drivers in condemning the deplorable racist abuse towards Lewis Hamilton. Racism must be driven out of our sport, and it’s our shared responsibility to unite and eliminate it.”
Aston Martin:
“We stand with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes in their condemnation of this unacceptable behaviour. Those responsible are not welcome in F1.”
Williams:
“We are saddened and horrified to see the racist abuse suffered by Lewis Hamilton following the British GP. There is no place for racism within our society, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with Lewis, Mercedes, and all our colleagues in F1 in our commitment to eradicating it.”
AlphaTauri:
“Scuderia AlphaTauri stands alongside Formula 1, the FIA, and other teams and drivers in condemning the intolerable and unacceptable racist abuse towards Lewis Hamilton. In our sport there is no room for racism or any kind of discrimination since We Race One.”
Alpine:
“We compete on track. We support each other off track. We stand united with our fellow teams, with F1 and FIA in calling out and condemning the racial abuse suffered by Lewis Hamilton following the British GP. There is no place or excuse for discriminatory abuse on any platform. F1 has taken steps in the right direction over the past 12-18 months and lets hope this does not become a regular occurrence for Sir Lewis Hamilton and anybody else.”
Alfa Romeo:
“We at Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN share the sentiments of all the teams, the FIA and F1 in their joint condemnation of the racial abuse aimed at Lewis Hamilton. Zero tolerance of any and all forms of discrimination and abuse.”
F1 – also retweeted by Haas:
“Opinion and rivalry are central to our sport. But there is absolutely no place for racism or discriminatory abuse We will work to hold anyone promoting such views to account. We urge people to show respect and basic humanity; and to report any examples below those standards.”
F1 has taken steps in the right direction over the past 12-18 months with their ‘End Racism’ and ‘We Race As One’ initiative and lets hope this does not become a regular occurrence for Hamilton and anybody else in the sport.
The story was written by Ollie Pattas
Here’s what Red Bull duo and Mercedes duo said after F1 British GP