Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about the killing of George Floyd, condemning his fellow celebrities who have stayed silent.
On Sunday, Lewis, the only Black Formula One star, took to Instagram to share his dismay over the death of the 46-year-old Black American whilst being restrained by a white police officer last week.
Derek Chauvin, the police officer in question, has now been charged with murder following days of protests across the US, pitting protesters against police in a number of major cities.
On Sunday, the six-time world champion blasted the motorsport industry as well as his fellow F1 drivers for “staying silent in the midst of injustice”.
“I see those of you who are staying silent, he wrote. “Some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice. 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. 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.”
The defending world champion also gave his thoughts on the continuing protests in the US.
“I do not stand with those looting and burning buildings but those who are protesting peacefully,” he wrote. “There can be no peace until our so called leaders make change. This is not just America, this is the UK, this is Spain, this is Italy and all over.
“The way minorities are treated has to change, [and] how you educate those in your country of equality, racism, classism and that we are all the same. We are not born with racism and hate in our hearts, it is taught by those we look up to.”
The F1 star has been outspoken on the sport’s need for greater diversity in the past.
“There’s barely any diversity in F1,” he said in 2018. “Still nothing’s changed in 11 years I’ve been here.”
Stars including Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift spoke out about the killing of George Floyd over the weekend, with both taking aim at Donald Trump.
Gaga branded the US president a “racist fool”, whilst Taylor accused him of “stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism” throughout his time in office.
