Online hate: F1 drivers join social media boycott

Several leading riders, starting with Lewis Hamilton, have followed in the footsteps of English football clubs to fight against racism.

Published on 30/04/2021 à 15:54

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Online hatred: F1 drivers join social media boycott

Say nothing to get the message across. Several pilots of Formula 1Including Lewis Hamilton and his compatriots George Russell and Lando Norris, have decided to join the vast movement to boycott social networks initiated in the United Kingdom to combat racism, discrimination, and more generally the phenomena of hatred online.

For 3 days – from Friday April 30 to Sunday May 2 inclusive, these runners will refrain from sharing content on their various online profiles. The movement was started by the English football championship last week. Other sporting bodies, such as cricket and rugby leagues, have decided to do the same.

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- Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 30, 2021

« A boycott will probably not solve the problem overnight, but we must advocate for the changes that are necessary, even when they seem impossible to implement., tweeted Hamilton, very involved in social issues and the fight for equal opportunities. Sport has the power to unite us all. We cannot tolerate insults being part of sport. Let’s lead by example and inspire future generations ».

This weekend I will be joining the social media boycott to stand with others against the abuse, racism and hatred that people face online.

It's time for change #StopOnlineAbuse

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) April 30, 2021

Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), Nicholas latifi (Williams), and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) also took a vow of silence this weekend. The Monegasque's choice did not receive a very enthusiastic reception, with several Internet users pointing out his refusal for a year to kneel on the starting grid as a sign of support for the "Black Lives Matter" movement. They accuse him of buying a virginity cheaply (but isn't it a form of cyber-harassment to pillory Leclerc in this way? We get a little lost in this ocean of moral rectitude) .

Formula 1, which has launched many initiatives since last year to combat discrimination, has not committed itself to such a cure of silence on the networks but it ensures that it supports the approach of the English Premier League and other institutions in their desire to shine the spotlight on the means to eradicate all forms of aggression online, or elsewhere.