LONDON: Six-time
Formula One
motor racing champion
Lewis Hamilton
has criticised his sport for its silence on the killing of
George Floyd
, an unarmed black man who died after a white US 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 in an Instagram story 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 colour 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.
"Racism is toxic and needs to be addressed not with violence or silence but with unity and action," the Australian wrote on Instagram.
McLaren driver
Lando Norris
, Hamilton's compatriot, was one of those who did comment, adding a line to his profile on the Twitch streaming platform that said "sign the !BLM petitions #BLACKLIVESMATTER"
Canadian
Nicholas Latifi
, who is due to drive for Williams this season, said on Twitter 'This has to stop #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd."
Hamilton has spoken out before about the lack of diversity in motor racing.
"There really is the most minimal diversity within this sport and I really somehow want to be a part of shape-shifting that with Formula One," he said a year ago.
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