Lewis Hamilton 'overcome with rage'

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton says he's "overcome with rage" as he continues to speak out at the events of the last week.

On Monday the Mercedes driver delivered a stinging broadside at his fellow competitors, accusing the "white dominated" world of F1 of failing to acknowledge the race riots sweeping the United States.

His comments hit a nerve, with a host of leading drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo and Charles Leclerc, calling for unity.

Hamilton, the sport's only black driver, has now gone a step further, in a lengthy social media post detailing how difficult it has been to watch the events unfold in recent days.

"This past week has been so dark," he wrote.

"I have failed to keep hold of my emotions.

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes walks in the Paddock

"I have felt so much anger, sadness and disbelief in what my eyes have seen.

"I am completely overcome with rage at the sight of such blatant disregard for the lives of our people.

"The injustice that we are seeing our brothers and sisters face all over the world time and time again is disgusting, and MUST stop."

The 35-year-old said the events of the last week came as no shock.

"So many people seem surprised, but to us unfortunately, it is not surprising," he continued.

"Those of us who are black, brown or in between, see it every day and should not have to feel as though we were born guilty, don't belong, or fear for our lives based on the colour of our skin.

"Will Smith said it best, racism is not getting worse, it's being filmed.

"Only now that the world is so well equipped with cameras has this issue been able to come to light such a big way."

Minneapolis was the initial hotspot, following the death of black man George Floyd when he was detained by police officer Derek Chauvin.

Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton.

Chauvin was filmed with his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, with Floyd pleading for help, claiming he couldn't breathe.

"It is only when there are riots and screams for justice that the powers that be cave in and do something, but by then it is far too late and not enough has been done," Hamilton said.

"It took hundreds of thousands of people's complaints and buildings to burn before officials reacted and decided to arrest Derek Chauvin for murder, and that is sad."

Hamilton finished by pointing out that racism is not purely restricted to the United States.

"Unfortunately, America is not the only place where racism lives and we continue to fail as humans when we cannot stand up for what is right," he added.

"Please do not sit in silence, no matter the colour of your skin.

"Black Lives Matter."



from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/motorsport/lewis-hamilton-black-lives-matter-overcome-with-rage-george-floyd-death-riots/692b166e-73cb-45dd-9c77-36ebbaa753ed

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