NEW DELHI: Seven times Formula One World champion Lewis Hamilton has categorically stated on Wednesday that he will continue to speak his heart out on the issues which are there and he is passionate about despite the fact that the sport’s world body had made some amendments in its international sporting code relating to this public speaking on F1 platform.
Hamilton, the most successful driver in the sport’s history, has used the platform to highlight racial injustice, promote diversity and address a range of issues from the environment to human rights.
The sport’s governing body FIA updated its International Sporting Code last December requiring prior written permission to make or display “political, religious and personal statements or comments” at races.
The move has been criticised by hosts of drivers as well as rights groups.
“It doesn’t surprise me, but nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I’m passionate about and issues that there are,” Hamilton, 38, told reporters in a video call after the launch of his Mercedes team’s new W14 racecar at Silverstone.
“I wasn’t really watching the news over the winter but I heard it,” Hamilton, 38, told reporters in a video call after the launch of his Mercedes team’s new W14 racecar at Silverstone,” Hamilton added.
“It doesn’t surprise me, but nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I’m passionate about and issues that there are.
“I feel the sport does have a responsibility still always to speak out on things, to create awareness on important topics, particularly as we’re travelling to all these different places,” added the Briton.
“So nothing changes really.”
Asked whether he would be prepared to take a penalty, Hamilton added: “It would be silly to say that I would want to get penalty points for speaking out on things.
“But I am still going to be speaking my mind as we still have this platform, there are still a lot of things we need to tackle.”
He said all the drivers were aligned on freedom of speech and praised Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali for his support.
The first two races of the season are in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Hamilton has in the past called for more change in Saudi Arabia, expressing shock in 2022 at reports of mass executions, and has raced in the Middle East with a rainbow helmet in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said in a separate call that everyone should be allowed to “speak their mind whilst being respectful to each other.
(With input from Reuters)
Hamilton, the most successful driver in the sport’s history, has used the platform to highlight racial injustice, promote diversity and address a range of issues from the environment to human rights.
The sport’s governing body FIA updated its International Sporting Code last December requiring prior written permission to make or display “political, religious and personal statements or comments” at races.
The move has been criticised by hosts of drivers as well as rights groups.
“It doesn’t surprise me, but nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I’m passionate about and issues that there are,” Hamilton, 38, told reporters in a video call after the launch of his Mercedes team’s new W14 racecar at Silverstone.
“I wasn’t really watching the news over the winter but I heard it,” Hamilton, 38, told reporters in a video call after the launch of his Mercedes team’s new W14 racecar at Silverstone,” Hamilton added.
“It doesn’t surprise me, but nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I’m passionate about and issues that there are.
“I feel the sport does have a responsibility still always to speak out on things, to create awareness on important topics, particularly as we’re travelling to all these different places,” added the Briton.
“So nothing changes really.”
Asked whether he would be prepared to take a penalty, Hamilton added: “It would be silly to say that I would want to get penalty points for speaking out on things.
“But I am still going to be speaking my mind as we still have this platform, there are still a lot of things we need to tackle.”
He said all the drivers were aligned on freedom of speech and praised Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali for his support.
The first two races of the season are in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Hamilton has in the past called for more change in Saudi Arabia, expressing shock in 2022 at reports of mass executions, and has raced in the Middle East with a rainbow helmet in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said in a separate call that everyone should be allowed to “speak their mind whilst being respectful to each other.
(With input from Reuters)
