Enlarge image
Regularly campaigns against racism and discrimination: Lewis Hamilton
Photo: Bradley Collyer / dpa
Record world champion Lewis Hamilton received racist insults on social media several times during and after the Formula 1 race at Silverstone.
This was announced by Formula 1, the world motor sport association FIA and Hamilton's Mercedes racing team in a joint statement.
The insults were related to the Englishman's collision with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman retired, Hamilton won the Grand Prix despite a ten-second penalty for the maneuver.
British TV broadcaster Sky reported on racist messages sent in response to an Instagram post in which Mercedes celebrated Hamilton's success on Sunday.
"Cases must be identified and eliminated"
»Formula 1, the FIA and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team condemn this behavior in the strongest possible terms.
These people have no place in our sport and we demand that those responsible be held accountable for their actions, ”the statement said.
Hamilton is the only Formula 1 driver with dark skin.
The seven-time world champion regularly takes a stand against racism and exclusion.
"Formula 1, the FIA, the drivers and the teams are working to build a more diverse and inclusive sport, and such unacceptable cases of online abuse must be identified and eliminated."
mas / dpa
