Racist abuse condemned

Mercedes, Formula One and its governing body, the FIA, issued a joint statement condemning the online racist abuse aimed at Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was targeted following the Mercedes driver’s crash with rival Max Verstappen on the opening lap of Monday’s British Grand Prix that sent the championship leader hurtling out of the race. ‘‘Formula One, the FIA and the Mercedes-amg Petronas F1 Team condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms,’’ the statement said. ‘‘These people have no place in our sport and we urge that those responsible should be held accountable for their actions.’’ It is understood that F1 is compiling a dossier of the offensive posts and will raise them directly with the platforms and call on them to take action.