Hamilton Slams F1 for Staying Silent on Floyd Death
LONDON (Reuters) - Six times Formula One motor racing champion Lewis Hamilton has criticized his sport for its silence on the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white U.S. police officer knelt on his neck.
The death in Minneapolis triggered a wave of outrage and violent protests in the United States.
Hamilton, Formula One’s first black world champion, spends much of his time in America and spoke out on the issue on Instagram on Sunday.
"I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice,” wrote the Mercedes driver.
"Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I’m one of the only people of color there yet I stand alone,” he added.
"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.”
In a second post, Hamilton added: "I do not stand with those looting and burning buildings but those who are protesting peacefully. There can be no peace until our so called leaders make change.”
Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo, who will cross to McLaren at the end of the season, said Floyd’s death was "a disgrace” and called for unity against racism.
Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton attends a press conference at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 12, 2020.
The death in Minneapolis triggered a wave of outrage and violent protests in the United States.
Hamilton, Formula One’s first black world champion, spends much of his time in America and spoke out on the issue on Instagram on Sunday.
"I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice,” wrote the Mercedes driver.
"Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I’m one of the only people of color there yet I stand alone,” he added.
"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.”
In a second post, Hamilton added: "I do not stand with those looting and burning buildings but those who are protesting peacefully. There can be no peace until our so called leaders make change.”
Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo, who will cross to McLaren at the end of the season, said Floyd’s death was "a disgrace” and called for unity against racism.
Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton attends a press conference at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 12, 2020.