Australia's Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo has spoken about the "toxic" curse of racism, hours after world champion Lewis Hamilton hit out at his fellow drivers for their silence over the issue.
Hamilton slammed the "white dominated" sport of F1, which hasn't acknowledged the race riots currently sweeping the United States, following the death of black man George Floyd.
Floyd died after a white policeman restrained him by putting a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes, despite Floyd's protests that he couldn't breathe.
Hamilton, the only black driver in the sport, condemned the "biggest stars" for staying silent in the "midst of injustice."
"Just know I know who you are and I see you," Hamilton said.
The world champion's words sparked a response from Ricciardo, who is currently in Western Australia with the F1 championship suspended.
"Seeing the news the last few days has left me saddened, what happened to George Floyd and what continues to happen in today's society is a disgrace," Ricciardo said on Instagram.
"Now more than ever we need to stand together, unified together.
"Racism is toxic and needs to be addressed not with violence or silence but with unity and action.
"We need to stand up, we need to be a WE. Let's be better people. It's 2020 ffs.
"Black lives matter."
Ricciardo wasn't the only F1 star to speak out today, following Hamilton's broadside.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also tweeted his support.
"To be completely honest, I felt out of place and uncomfortable sharing my thoughts on social media about the whole situation and this is why I haven't expressed myself earlier than today. And I was completely wrong," Leclerc wrote.
"I still struggle to find the words to describe the atrocity of some of the videos I've seen on the Internet.
"Racism needs to be met with actions, not silence.
"Please be actively participating, engaging and encouraging others to spread awareness.
"It is our responsibility to speak out against injustice. Don't be silent. I stand #BlackLivesMatters."
Former NBA star Michael Jordan has also broken his silence over the issue, calling for profound change.
"I am truly saddened, deeply pained and plain angry," Jordan said in a statement.
"I see and feel everyone's pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence towards people of colour in our country. We have had enough."
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/motorsport/daniel-ricciardo-lewis-hamilton-george-floyd-united-states-race-riots/bb55cc2d-6ae8-4226-b318-b6bcefdf5f2c
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