Formula 1 British GP: Red Bull extends support to Lewis Hamilton after he faces racial abuse on social media following collision with Verstappen: Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton has been subjected to racist abuse on social media after he collided with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen on the race track in the first lap of the British Grand Prix. However, standing with the 7-time World Champion, Red Bull issued a statement, saying it will be supporting Hamilton and would help authorities identify the culprits.
Also read: Formula 1 British GP: Red Bull boss says Lewis Hamilton put Max Verstappen’s life at risk
“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,” said Hamilton’s F1 team Mercedes in an official statement, posted on Twitter. “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,” the statement added.
Later, Red Bull came out in Lewis Hamilton’s support, condemning the racial abuse the 7-time World Champion has received following the collission.
A statement from Christian. 📝 pic.twitter.com/DOezZvXAQ5
— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) July 19, 2021
Hamilton and Verstappen had sparred spectacularly throughout the first half lap of the Grand Prix, but made contact at Copse when Hamilton tried to pass up the inside into the fast sweeping corner, with Verstappen spinning hard into the barriers and out of the race — with Hamilton handed a 10-second penalty for the collision.
— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) July 19, 2021
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen had then accused Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton of disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour. Due to this collision, Verstappen was sent crashing out of the British GP in just the very first lap of the race.
“Glad I’m ok. Very disappointed with being taken out like this. The penalty given does not help us and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track. Watching the celebrations while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behavior but we move on,” tweeted Verstappen.
A committed recovery from Hamilton saw him close down the gap to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the final stages of the race, Hamilton passing the Monegasque driver on Lap 50 of 52 to take an emotional victory in front of an ecstatic British Grand Prix crowd — with the reigning champion closing the gap to Verstappen in the title race to just eight points.
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