Hamilton calls on “silent” F1 stars not to ignore injustice

Lewis Hamilton has criticised his fellow Formula 1 stars for “staying silent” and not speaking out against racial injustice amid ongoing global protests.

The murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by police in the US state of Minnesota on May 25 has sparked worldwide protests, rallies and rioting in recent days.

A number of sporting stars and public figures including Hamilton have used their social media platforms to post about the injustice, and the six-time world challenged his fellow drivers to do the same after saying he “stands alone” in the motorsport community.

"I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice," Hamilton wrote in a post on Instagram on Sunday night.

"Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I'm one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone.

"I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can't stand alongside us.

"Just know I know who you are and I see you.”

Hamilton followed up his initial Instagram story with another post clarifying that he does not stand with those rioting or turning to violence and only supports the peaceful protests.

"There can be no peace until our so-called leaders make change,” he continued.

"This is not just America, this is the UK, this is Spain, this is Italy and all over. The way minorities are treated has to change, how you educate those in your country of equality, racism, classism, and that we are all the same.

"We are not born with racism and hate in our hearts, it is taught by those we look up to.”

The words of Hamilton appear to have encouraged others in the F1 paddock to speak up, with the likes of Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi among those to have posted messages overnight.