Lewis Hamilton bombarded with racist abuse after 190mph Silverstone smash with Verstappen

19 July 2021, 09:10 | Updated: 19 July 2021, 19:36

Lewis Hamilton was criticised for his celebrations after winning the race
Lewis Hamilton was criticised for his celebrations after winning the race. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

F1 chiefs are calling for online racists who targeted Lewis Hamilton to be "held accountable" after he was targeted after crashing with Max Verstappen but went on to win at Silverstone.

Vile racist trolls hurled n-word abuse at Lewis Hamilton during the British Grand Prix in remarks reminiscent of the abuse England players faced after losing on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team said in a statement today: “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.”

Seven-time world champion Lewis, 36, delivered a superb comeback drive to record his eighth win on home soil, while Verstappen was taken to hospital following the 190mph shunt which registered at 51G.

Red Bull said he was released from hospital at 10pm on Sunday night "without major injuries".

Hamilton was handed a 10-second penalty for the accident with Verstappen after the stewards adjudged him to be "predominantly at fault".

Last week, Hamilton issued a social media post after Marcus Rashford, Jordan Sancho and Bukayo Saka were racially abused following England's Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy at Wembley.

He wrote: "The racial abuse on social media towards our players after yesterday's game is unacceptable. This sort of ignorance has to be stopped.

"Tolerance and respect for players of colour should not be conditional. Our humanity should not be conditional."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Zelensky promises 'serious response' following Russia's use of new hypersonic missiles

Zelensky promises 'serious response' following Russia's use of new hypersonic missiles

Russia has said it will begin mass production on an "unstoppable" missile.

Russia to begin mass production of 'unstoppable' ballistic missile, Putin warns as Zelensky urges 'serious response'

The Met could lose 2,000 officers

Met Police could lose 2,000 officers as force's budget 'may be slashed by £450 million'

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor vows to appeal decision after civil jury finds he raped woman in hotel

The new advert was published this week.

Jaguar bosses hit back at ‘vile hatred and intolerance’ following new rebrand

UK prisoners could be sent to Poland after new talks.

'Detailed prison maps' leak on dark web as fears grow of jail escapes

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor raped woman in hotel, civil jury finds, as she is awarded damages

Donald Trump

Donald Trump hush money sentencing postponed as judge says president-elect can seek dismissal

Backpacker Sarisha said the Nana Backpackers Hostel offered free alcohol in exchange for good reviews

Hostel at centre of 'mass methanol poisoning' offered free shots in exchange for good reviews, backpacker claims

Parents of British lawyer killed in Laos 'mass methanol poisoning' pay tribute to 'kind and loving daughter'

Parents of British lawyer killed in Laos 'mass methanol poisoning' pay tribute to 'kind and loving daughter'

Queen Camilla to miss Royal Variety as she continues recovery following chest infection

Queen Camilla to miss Royal Variety as she continues recovery following chest infection

Gatwick South Terminal to reopen after bomb scare but passengers still face flight delays and cancellations

Gatwick South Terminal reopens after bomb scare but passengers still face flight delays and cancellations

London, UK. 22nd November 2024. Police cordon and firefighters on the scene at the Embassy of USA in London following a controlled explosion of a suspicious package. Credit: Vuk Valcic/Alamy Live News

Police say US embassy 'suspect package' was probably a hoax after carrying out controlled explosion

Many Britons again faced freezing temperatures overnight

Brits brace for Storm Bert: Met Office issues amber weather warning for snow - with up to 40cm set to fall

Harshita

'We will never forget you till our last breath': Family of Harshita Brella pay tribute - as manhunt continues for killer