F1 legend Sir Lewis Hamilton has praised Vinicius Junior for speaking out against the ‘devastating’ racist abuse the Real Madrid star has suffered recently.
After once again being subjected to vile chants during Real’s match at Valencia last Sunday, Vinicius released a statement saying Spain and La Liga ‘belonged to racists’.
Since then, there has been a outpouring of support for the 22-year-old Brazil international, though not from La Liga president Javier Tebas who shockingly, directly criticised the player’s words on social media before making a half-hearted apology.
Hamilton, F1’s only black driver, was asked about the matter ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix and the seven-time world champion admitted that the abuse Vinicius suffered evoked painful memories for him.
‘It’s devastating to think that in 2023 we’re still seeing these things and hearing these things. It really hits home for me,’ the Mercedes driver said.
‘It really brings up emotions about things that I experienced, whether it’s back in the UK or whether it was when I was racing in Italy or in France or in Spain. It can be so hurtful the things that people say.
‘Firstly, he’s [Vinicius] been incredibly brave. It is amazing what so many of these athletes that are experiencing that on the pitch are doing in terms of standing tall, standing strong and continuing to be humble and not being reactive but being responsible.
‘There is no room for discrimination in society today. Sports need to do more, we all need to continue to do more. If we see it, and hear it, we need to do something about it.’
Since the incident, Real Madrid have lodged a hate crime complaint to Spanish prosecutors, but on Saturday the punishment that Valencia received was reduced following an appeal.
Their fine has been reduced from €45,000 to €27,000 (£23,400) and the partial stadium closure will now be for just three games rather than five, with the club labelling the initial punishment as ‘disproportionate, unjust and unprecedented’.
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Hamilton has frequently spoken out about the abuse he has suffered throughout his childhood and career.
Back in March, the 38-year-old thanked Brazilian authorities after they fined three-time champion Nelson Piquet just under a $1million over racist comments he made towards the British driver in 2021.
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