Lewis Hamilton has called upon Formula 1 to do more in tacking a stand against racism after the seven-time world champion became the subject of a vile racial slur.
Former F1 driver Nelson Piquet made headlines when he called Hamilton the N-word during a recent interview.
Piquet, whose daughter is dating current defending world champ Max Verstappen, has since issued an apology to Hamilton, although he still insists he's not racist.
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After launching an investigation, F1 officials subsequently punished the Frenchman by banning him from attending races.
But Hamilton isn't satisfied and is demanding more be done to combat racism and any form discrimination within the sport.
“Enough is enough," Hamilton said ahead of the British Grand Prix.
“I’ve tried to take that higher road and avoid it — but no one should have to brush off racism and it shouldn’t be for me to have to brush it off.
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“There is still discrimination throughout the world, so it’s still clearly all around us.
“You see it on social media, these micro-aggressions that continue to come out.”
Asked about the support he has received from the sport's governing bodies following the racial abuse aimed his way, Hamilton said - simply - that he needs to see more action.
“We need organisations, big organisations, to take a stand," he added.
“It’s now a knee-jerk reaction to release statements from companies around the world when something like this happens.
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“They probably already have a script ready for something like that, crisis management. But it’s not enough.
“Now it’s about actual real action. We’ve now got to actually start acting over this.
“We really need Formula One and all the teams that have committed to signing this charter.
“I’ve done that work with the Hamilton Commission, to work and also to put funds towards diversity and inclusivity.
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“It’s not good enough just saying we are also focused on it and just pay lip service.
“We really need to push for action and that’s why I’m proud of the first step that we’ve done with the Ignite initiative.
“And that’s not the end of it — that's just the beginning.
“I’ve got Mission 44 up and running. I’ve got a whole team of people there to really focus on it.
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“I’ve got my own money in that and I’m out trying to raise money also to try and really push this forward.
“There’s a lot of great work that’s happening, but we need more and I can’t do it alone.”
Featured Image Credit: PA/AlamyTopics: Australia, Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Racism
