Daniel Ricciardo calls out disgusting aftermath of British Grand Prix

The aftermath of Sunday’s British Grand Prix “disgusted” the Red Bull team and prompted a response from Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo calls out racial abuse.

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo has thrown his support behind Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time Formula 1 champion was targeted with racist abuse online following his British Grand Prix triumph.

Hamilton secured his 99th Grand Prix victory at Silverstone on Sunday, recovering from a 10-second time penalty to overtake Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on Lap 50.

But the British driver’s win was overshadowed by a collision with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the opening lap, where the Dutchman crashed into a tyre wall at 289 km/h.

Red Bull later confirmed Verstappen had been discharged from hospital “following a thorough medical examination, without any major injuries”.

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As first reported by Sky Sports, an Instagram post from the Mercedes team celebrating Hamilton’s success was flooded with racist messages and monkey emojis.

English football stars Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho were similarly targeted by a torrent of disgusting threats and abuse after missing penalties in the wild 3-2 loss to Italy in the Euros final.

Ricciardo released a statement on Instagram on Tuesday morning AEST: “I’ve seen some of the remarks aimed at Lewis yesterday. No matter what happens on the track there is absolutely no place for racism and hate. Please we have to be better than this.”

We fight on track. We unite off track. 💪 https://t.co/XIW641pcPo

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 19, 2021

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also released a statement on Instagram, calling out the racial abuse directed at Hamilton.

“Whilst the rivalry is intense on track for the Championship, highly charged emotions should never cross the line into racist abuse,” Christian wrote.

“We have a zero tolerance approach to racist behaviour within our Team and I personally feel strongly that those responsible for this sort of abuse should be held to account.

“We will continue to support the FIA and F1 in order to eradicate this from our sport.”

Hamilton remains the only Black driver in Formula 1 history, and has been an outspoken advocate of the Black Live Matter movement.

The 36-year-old has fought to improve opportunities for people of colour in the motorsport industry and the United Kingdom’s education system.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his British Grand Prix triumph.

Last year, Hamilton criticised Formula 1 for a “rushed” pre-race anti-racism display at the Hungarian Grand Prix, speaking to officials to ensure drivers are given more time to convey their message.

He also took aim at the Formula 1 paddock over an eerie silence that fell over teams in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

Hamilton currently sits eight points behind championship leader Verstappen on the F1 drivers’ standings.

The 2021 season will resume on Sunday, August 1 with the Hungarian Grand Prix.