Lewis Hamilton will continue to speak out ‘whether people like it or not’

Lewis Hamilton is likely Formula 1's most outspoken drive. He definitely is not keen on stopping this or changing anytime soon.

Lewis Hamilton will continue to speak out ‘whether people like it or not’

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has developed a reputation for being outspoken. Apart from him and Sebastian Vettel being multiple world champions, the pair also have this in common. The Briton has spoken about a variety of issues. He’s stood up against discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people and advocated for more diversity in the sport. He’s used his public platform to highlight racism (particularly ‘Black Lives Matter’).

In 2021, Hamilton raced with a Progress Pride flag helmet in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi. But now his speaking out in the paddock has become a little bit more difficult. The FIA has banned drivers from making ‘political, religious or personal’ statements without prior permission. So, now Formula 1 drivers will be unable to make such statements during national anthems, drivers’ parades, FIA press conferences (unless asked directly), podium ceremonies, etc.

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They’ll still be able to use their social media for advocacy, as well as interviews. Whether the statement actually is ‘political, religious or personal’ will be judged on a case-to-case basis by the stewards. But all this doesn’t seem to have fazed Hamilton much. In an interview with ‘The Fast and the Curious‘ podcast, the Briton first expressed that Motorsport ‘shouldn’t be able to continue’ if it’s not diverse, and he wants more access for disabled and LGBTQ+ people.

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Then, the Briton continued: “There’s so many things we need to challenge and fix. And also we’re going to a lot of countries where they have these challenging human rights issues where humans just are not treated as human beings. In the past people just brushed by it, and it’s not important. It is so important that someone speaks out on it. I don’t care if I don’t win another race, I’m going to speak on those things whether people like it or not.”

Read More: Lewis Hamilton breaks silence on FIA’s ‘political statement’ ban which ‘targets’ him

Lewis Hamilton: Formula 1 is a platform to ‘spark change’

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has earlier spoken out against the FIA ban directly when he asserted that it [the ban] won’t stop him from speaking up about the things he’s passionate about. In the Jay Shetty Podcast, he said that he does not care if sponsors drop him for making a particular statement. All these statements mean he is going to be a prime candidate to break the said rule, even if the penalties include disqualification.

The Briton aims to continue using his platform ‘to spark change’. He said: “This is a platform to really spark change, spark conversation, which is I think the beginning of those thing. Sparking those uncomfortable conversations, and then holding people accountable who have been happy with the status quo in the past which has held people down, which has made people not included, and that frustrates me. And it goes into that kind of fear thing. We can make change, and I want to be a part of helping that and making people feel more included.”

It’ll be interesting to see if Hamilton does end up breaching this rule, and what the possible consequences could be of him doing so. Could the FIA really afford to exclude or disqualify a seven-time world champion, and perhaps the world’s most famous racing driver? That will only be answered depending on whether the Briton actually does breach the rule.

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