Lewis Hamilton urges responsible environmental protests at British GP in the aftermath of last year’s track invasion

Members of the ‘Just stop oil’ invaded last year’s British Grand Prix, following Guyanyu Zhou’s accident.

Lewis Hamilton urges responsible environmental protests at British GP in the aftermath of last year’s track invasion

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (Image credit: Eurosport)

‘Just stop oil’, a climate activist group, was responsible for the protests at the Silverstone circuit last year. This group has also targeted an Ashes cricket match in London, the World Snooker Championship, in April. However, climate enthusiast Lewis Hamilton has urged these protestors to stop such tactics.

The Brit expressed his welcome towards protesters or activists when asked by Autosport about his thoughts on potential action at Silverstone. He emphasized the importance of pushing for positive change and said he never wants to witness individuals endangering themselves by standing on the track. Hamilton recognized that such protests could spur dialogue and drive change when conducted appropriately, highlighting the need for further progress.

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“I welcome protesters or activists,” Lewis Hamilton told Autosport when asked about the protests at the 2022 British Grand Prix. “I mean, always they are pushing for positive change. We never want to see people standing on the track and putting themselves in harm’s way. But that sparks conversation, that sparks dialogue,” Hamilton added.

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Following an incident last year where members of the same group trespassed onto the circuit, causing a red flag due to Zhou Guanyu‘s accident. Seven individuals were arrested, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali strongly condemned their actions. Hamilton seeks to avoid repeating last year’s incidents, expressing optimism for peaceful demonstrations and positive conversations.

Also read: Max Verstappen calls out Lewis Hamilton’s hypocrisy for demanding rule change to end Red Bull dominance

Lewis Hamilton appeals for responsible conduct from spectators at the Red Bull Ring

Max Verstappen’s Red Bull at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix (Image credit: Redbull.com)

At the Austrian Grand Prix, some fans faced harassment and abuse from fellow spectators. A Hamilton fan, subjected to sexist mistreatment, was escorted into the paddock by Mercedes. The incident garnered widespread condemnation from drivers and teams, prompting F1 to raise the matter with the event organizers. However, Lewis Hamilton claims that the behavior of the fans at the race remains crucial.

Hamilton expressed sadness upon learning about the incidents last year, particularly when visiting such a location. He acknowledged Formula 1’s efforts in implementing changes for the current weekend yet maintained that further work is required. He also highlighted the possibility of the same group of individuals attending and emphasized the need for an inclusive environment.

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“Especially when we’re coming to such a beautiful place, it was definitely sad to hear what happened last year. And I do know that F1 has taken action to make some changes here this weekend. I still feel that there’s work that needs to be done,” said the 7-time world champion.

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