F1 news: Lewis Hamilton is right to be angry over this - Mercedes chief Toto Wolff

That’s according to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Hamilton - the only black driver in the sport’s history - uploaded an Instagram story calling for increased diversity in the sport and bemoaned the lack of progress made in his 11 years on the grid.

He panned across the paddock at the Australian Grand Prix and added a caption insisting “nothing’s changed” to try and encourage participation from a wider range of ethnic minority backgrounds.

The four-time world champion also said: “Kids, people, there’s so many jobs in this sport of which anybody, no matter your ethnicity or background, can make it and fit in.”

And Wolff is in full agreement that something needs to be done - noting that the Dare To Be Different programme, designed by his wife Suzie to increase female participation, should only be the start of action to tackle the issue.

“I think that it is one thing that is very important not only for Lewis but for all of us,” he said when asked for a response to Hamilton’s accusations.

“The more diversity we can get into Formula One the better it is. We have had an event yesterday where we launched Dare To Be Different in Australia that was a good success.

“Whether it is with different ethnical backgrounds or girls getting into motor racing, overall this is what needs to happen. 

“Eventually we’ll grow and the balance is going to be better in the future.”

Wolff later added: “More diversity in the paddock would do us good, make us think differently and make us more open-minded. 

“As a team we are very supportive of whatever actions we can employ to help.”