George Russell and Lando Norris join Lewis Hamilton in social media boycott

Russell and Norris join social media boycott — Photo: © LAT Images

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Russell and Norris join Hamilton in social media boycott

The boycott is in reaction to continued discrimination on social media platforms

Sam Hall

Friday 30 April 2021 10:54

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Lando Norris and George Russell have joined Lewis Hamilton in a social media boycott across the Portuguese Grand Prix weekend as sport takes a stand against online abuse.

On Thursday, seven-time world champion Hamilton confirmed he would be joining a widespread four-day boycott of social media that has been launched in a bid to encourage platforms to do more to stamp out racist and discriminatory abuse.

Following Hamilton's comments, McLaren driver Norris has also now announced he will not have an active online presence this weekend.

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"I'm supporting the boycott of social media this weekend," wrote Norris. "Everyone struggles with abuse on here at some point and social media companies need to do more to tackle it.

"Hiding behind a keyboard is not okay. Enough is enough."

pic.twitter.com/YML9SbvGjJ
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) April 30, 2021

Norris' McLaren team-mate Daniel Ricciardo added he was "certainly considering" a social media blackout.

The Australian explained: "Obviously, if it helps, like all things, raise awareness and spread the message or put it out there, and hold someone with a bit more accountability, for sure, I think that’s important.

"When you grow up, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all, and sometimes it can be that simple. So, certainly under consideration and if we feel it’s going to help and have a positive effect then we’ll do so."

Williams driver and Grand Prix Drivers' Association director Russell has declared it his "duty" to take a stand against the abhorrent online abuse.

"I thought it was important to do so because there is far too much online abuse, hatred, negativity and racism that is just undeserved," he said.

"I feel like it is our duty to raise as much awareness as possible, not just within sport but within all walks of life. It doesn't matter how old or young you are or what background you are from, just to spread positivity and be nice to one and other.

"I feel strongly about this and I felt like it was my duty to be a part of this cause."

Social media blackout this weekend guys. Time to make a change. pic.twitter.com/OCRs5xLUos
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) April 30, 2021

F1 itself will not be joining the boycott but yesterday released a statement to GPFans Global reconfirming its commitment to stamping out discrimination.

"F1 is wholly committed to combatting any form of discrimination, online or otherwise," it read.

"We support the actions of the Premier League and other sporting bodies and athletes in highlighting that more must be done to eradicate online abuse that they are receiving directly.

"We continue to work with all platforms and our own audiences to promote respect and positive values and put a stop to racism."

We are wholly committed to combatting any form of racism, online or otherwise

We continue to call out and report any incident of online hate, and we encourage our fans to do the same pic.twitter.com/VXPvwBita8
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 30, 2021