'Be better people': Daniel Ricciardo slams George Floyd 'disgrace'
Daniel Ricciardo has showed his support for the fight against racism, not long after F1 champ Lewis Hamilton called out his colleagues for their silence, after the death of George Floyd in the US.
Floyd – an African-American man – died in Minneapolis after a police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck during an arrest on Monday.
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Violent protests have broken out across the USA since Floyd's death, during which he was filmed crying out for help as he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground.
However, Mercedes star Hamilton took to Instagram on the weekend to call for unity amongst his "white-dominated" sport, claiming they had been alarmingly silent when it comes to the social justice issue.
But not long after, Aussie Ricciardo joined Hamilton in his call for unity.
“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,” he wrote 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.”
Hamilton calls out F1 colleagues
Hamilton – the first and only black driver in F1's history – used social media to hit out at his motorsport peers.
"I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice," Hamilton wrote on Instagram.
"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."
Hamilton, who has claimed six world titles, continued: "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.
"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, 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."
