LEWIS Hamilton’s Formula One team has sacked four workers after unearthing a campaign of racist bullying against a Muslim employee.
Three more staffers were also disciplined for breaching the company’s diversity rules.
It comes just months after Lewis — the first ever black F1 driver — hit out at racist chants by Montenegro football fans against England players.
He said in March: “It is crazy to think that at this time in the world, racism is still such a prominent thing.”
But in July, the Brit’s Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team launched an inquiry into racism at its own HQ in Brackley, Northants.
Four workers were sacked on August 2, with the final appeals being held last week.
Bosses heard how the disgraced employees — thought to be based in the IT department — had used racist slurs in the smoking area.
‘MUSLIM TERRORIST F***’
One colleague was allegedly called a “Muslim terrorist f***”.
Then, during Ramadan, a poll was put up in a staff area on when the man would “break” the religious fast.
It is understood that workers guessed dates and put their names next to them.
A source said: “This was a really horrible case of racist bullying.
“They had been picking on one Muslim guy for years. It all came to light when they pinned up the poll. The guys who were sacked had all signed and dated it. It’s outrageous, especially with Lewis being so outspoken about racism.
Mercedes-AMG said: “An internal investigation confirmed breaches of our diversity and equality policy.
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“We condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms and acted immediately.
“The diversity of our employees is a source of strength for our team.”
Lewis, 34, is qualifying in Sochi for tomorrow’s Russian Grand Prix.
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