What happened between Verstappen and Hamilton in Great Britain 1:25
(CNN) -
Lewis Hamilton was the target of racist attacks online after winning his eighth British Grand Prix on Sunday.
The seven-time world champion overcame a 10-second penalty to claim victory after a controversial collision with rival Max Verstappen, which left the Red Bull driver in hospital.
Facebook, which also owns Instagram, said it had removed several comments from its platform regarding Hamilton, who has been a strong advocate for diversity and the Black Lives Matter movement, and called the racist attack "unacceptable."
"In addition to our work to remove comments and accounts that repeatedly violate our rules, there are security features available, including comment filters and message controls, which may mean that no one has to see this type of abuse," one told CNN. Facebook company spokesperson.
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"Nothing will solve this challenge overnight, but we are committed to working to keep our community safe from abuse."
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Widespread condemnation of racist attacks on Hamilton
Hamilton's Mercedes team, Formula 1 and the sport's governing body, the FIA, also issued a joint statement condemning the racist attack on Hamilton "in the strongest terms."
"These people have no place in our sport and we urge those responsible to be held accountable for their actions," it read.
Lewis Hamilton wins the British Grand Prix after a high-speed collision with Max Verstappen
"Formula 1, the FIA, the drivers and the teams are working to build a more diverse and inclusive sport, and those unacceptable cases of online abuse must be highlighted and eliminated."
The incident comes a week after three England players, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, were subjected to racist attacks after missing penalties during the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
On Monday, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told BBC Radio 4 that the attack on his driver was "unacceptable" and promised to "react."
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"We have seen an attack in football at the Euro Cup that is absolutely unacceptable, and the same yesterday, and I still wonder if some just don't get it," he added.
Red Bull also released a statement saying it was "disgusted and saddened" by the messages Hamilton received on social media.
"There is never an excuse for it, there is certainly no place for it in our sport and those responsible must be held accountable," he said.
CNN has also reached out to Twitter, but has yet to receive a response.
A dramatic start to the race between Hamilton and Verstappen
Around 140,000 people watched from a packed Silverstone as Hamilton and Verstappen collided in a dramatic start to the race.
Hamilton, who was hit in the first corner by his rival, made several attempts to overtake Verstappen on that first lap and when the drivers reached Silverstone's Copse Corner, the Briton's front left wheel touched Red's driver's right rear tire. Bull.
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Verstappen went off the track and through the gravel before crashing into the barriers.
The Dutchman was taken to hospital, but suffered no major injuries.
Verstappen reviews
After the race, Verstappen took to social media to express his feelings about Hamilton's "dangerous" driving.
"First of all: I'm glad to be okay. It was a big shock at 51G, but I feel better," he wrote.
"Obviously very disappointed to have been eliminated in this way. The penalty given does not help us in any way and does not do justice to the dangerous play that Lewis made on the court," he lamented.
"Watching the post-race celebrations at the hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behavior, but we keep going," Verstappen continued.
The comments were echoed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who was visibly furious when he discussed the incident after the race.
"Lewis [Hamilton] has more than enough experience to know that that is unacceptable," he told Sky Sports.
"I'm very disappointed that a driver of his caliber should make a move like that. It's dangerous, he seemed desperate," he said.
Hamilton's message after the win
Hamilton sent his best wishes to Verstappen on social media after the race, but said he had run "fairly."
"Today is a reminder of the dangers of this sport," he wrote on Sunday.
"I send my best wishes to Max, who is an incredible competitor. Glad to hear that he is doing well. I will always race hard but always fairly," he said.
"My team showed courage and perseverance. It is a dream to win in front of my home crowd," he concluded.
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Hamilton was backed by Wolff, who described the collision as a racing incident.
"It always takes two to tango and these two don't give each other an inch and it's a high-speed curve, and that's why these things are unpleasant to look at," he told Sky Sports.
Race stewards gave Hamilton a 10-second penalty for the incident, but the Briton returned to the front in a dramatic conclusion, overtaking Charles Leclerc at Copse Corner with just two laps to go.
Hamilton's victory gave him 25 points to place him just eight behind Verstappen in the drivers standings as the rivalry between the two intensified.
All eyes will now be on the Hungarian Grand Prix, which will take place on August 1.
Lewis hamilton
