F1 journalist claims Lewis Hamilton made a Saudi Arabian hotel give women equal access to its facilities

F1 reporter Rebecca Clancy revealed that Lewis Hamilton instructed a Saudi Arabian Hotel to provide women with equal access to all amenities as their male counterparts.

F1 journalist claims Lewis Hamilton made a Saudi Arabian hotel give women equal access to its facilities

Lewis Hamilton (Via: Imago)

Lewis Hamilton has established himself as an icon in and outside the world of Formula 1. The seven-time world champion was the first driver to compete full-time at the pinnacle of motorsport. Since then, Hamilton has challenged the status quo in the male-dominated racing world. Now, renowned F1 journalist Rebecca Clancy reveals the time when the British driver caused a hotel in Saudi Arabia to change its rules.

In her latest article in the Sunday Times, Clancy recalled her brunch with Lewis Hamilton before the inaugural Saudi Arabian GP in 2021. The 34-year-old became a prominent figure in the male-dominated F1 paddock. Subsequently, Hamilton asked Rebecca Clancy how it was to be a woman in Formula 1. The F1 reporter replied that she had never felt that she was treated differently than her male peers.

At this brunch, we were chatting about F1, and Hamilton, who has regularly spoken about the lack of diversity in the sport, turned to me and said: "Rebecca, there's something I wanted to ask you. What's it like being a woman in Fl?" I told him I never felt I was treated any differently, which I didn't.
Rebecca Clancy wrote in Sunday Times
YouTube video

However, the 34-year-old admitted that she was nervous about going to Saudi Arabia. Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has had conservative laws which have restricted the freedom of women. So much so, that the media hotel for Clancy and other reporters during the GP weekend prohibited women from using the pool or even the gym. The F1 journalist mentioned this concerning issue to Lewis Hamilton during their conversation.

FS Video
However, I did mention that I was heading to Saudi Arabia the next day and was slightly hesitant about it because at the media hotel women weren't allowed to use the pool or the gym.

The next morning, Rebecca Clancy and all other media personnel received an email stating that women would get equal access to all facilities as their male counterparts. Lewis Hamilton had a word with the hotel after the brunch with the 34-year-old and ensured that this change would be implemented. Certainly, a testament to Hamilton’s efforts in his fight for equality.

The next day, an email was sent to all media which said women would have the same access to the hotel facilities as the men. Hamilton had had a word.

Lewis Hamilton is the biggest activist in the history of Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton has been a staunch activist in the F1 paddock. The seven-time world champion was at the forefront of the Black Lives Matter movement as he took a knee during national anthems before every F1 race.

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Moreover, the 39-year-old established the Hamilton Commission to provide more opportunities to underserved communities. Additionally, Lewis Hamilton has not been afraid of promoting LGBTQIA+ rights in the Middle East during F1 weekends where homosexuality is a severe crime.

Certainly, the seven-time world champion is one of the biggest figures in the sporting world. Hamilton has used his popularity to advocate for change in our society. This has influenced millions of people across the world who look up to the British driver. As such, Lewis Hamilton has established himself as a role model for future generations in and outside the world of racing.

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