Hamilton and Russell are outraged by the threats received by Latifi on social networks

The last Grand Prix of the 2021 season continues to make headlines. After Max Verstappen’s victory, Hamilton’s silence and retirement rumors, Nicholas Latifi continues to pay for his accident.

As a reminder, on the 53rd lap, five laps before the checkered flag, Nicholas Latifi crashes into the wall, causing a yellow flag and the arrival of the safety car. By doing this, Max Verstappen catches up to Lewis Hamilton and wins the championship. Following this Grand Prix, the Canadian received a barrage of insults on social media. And it’s still not over.

The intensity of the threats received is such that the driver had to call upon bodyguards for the end of year celebrations. Some fans of the seven-time world champion are responsible for these hateful messages, condemned by Lewis Hamilton himself.

Nicholas Latifi can count on Lewis Hamilton.

In the end, I don’t think there has been a huge change or real evolution, or that these social networks have made enough efforts. We need to continue to push them to make modifications. Mental health is something real, and people are being harassed on these social networks. Nobody deserves that, and it should never be tolerated. They can change things. But they don’t seem to be doing enough. I think we need to continue to put pressure on them,” Hamilton complains.

He continues: “I was in contact with Nicholas. He has my full support. And I know how difficult these situations can be.” In the past, Lewis Hamilton has been a victim of insults on social media, sometimes of a racist nature. It’s important for him to know that he has the support of those around him. At the same time, we see that there is a lot of passion in this sport, which is what makes it so great. But we must channel it in a positive rather than a negative way,” concludes the Mercedes driver.

“He is not the only one defending Nicholas Latifi at Mercedes, as his new teammate George Russell is also Latifi’s former partner at Williams. It is necessary to do more for athletes and people in the spotlight, because those who hide behind their keyboards think they have the right to say whatever they want to someone who is trying to build a career. We almost forget that everyone is human. I know that I am a young driver and I need to educate myself more on this subject. But something really needs to be done,” added George Russell.