Lewis Hamilton Sent Fearless Message to Russia Amid Rescue Efforts for Imprisoned WNBA Star Brittney Griner

On February 17, 2022, WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested on Russian soil. It has been over seven months since, and Griner is still detained. Support for her and a call for her freedom have poured in from all corners of the world. And it did not escape the notice of F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton, who also spoke in her favor.

Lewis Hamilton, an activist in his own right, spoke on the issue of Brittney Griner?s detainment in Russia.

Lewis Hamilton in solidarity with Brittney Griner

The Russian Federal Customs Service arrested Brittney Griner at Sheremetyevo Internation Airport. She was allegedly found with vape cartridges containing the marijuana concentrate hashish oil.

Since then, she was detained in Russia for months, as her family clamored for her release.

In June, Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton spoke out in response to the issue, after over three months of her imprisonment. Hamilton shared a video demanding her release on his Instagram story.

?More than 100 days. We have to bring him home,? Hamilton wrote as he reposted the video in support of Griner.

READ MORE: ?Brittney Griner Is Now the First Man to Play in the WNBA?: Unfazed by Haters, Griner Once Revealed Toxic Behavior She Faces Daily

It is heartwarming to see the support as one champion champions the cause of another. However, it is important to note that the situation was quite different back then when Hamilton put up the story.

WNBA players shun Russian playoffs

Hamilton is not the only one who has spoken in support of Brittney Griner. Her fellow WNBA players have also shown solidarity with her cause, of course.

WNBA stars are now refusing to step foot in Russia for offseason playoffs, in response to Griner?s arrest. Briner?s former teammate, Breanna Stewart, is going to play for the Turkish team, Fenerbahce instead.

?Honestly my time in Russia has been wonderful,” Stewart said. “But especially with BG still wrongfully detained there, nobody?s going to go there until she?s home. I think that, you know, now, people want to go overseas, and if the money is not much different, they want to be in a better place.”

And Stewart is certainly not alone in her choice. Fellow WNBA All-Stars, Jonquel Jones and?Courtney Vandersloot, are also going to steer clear of Russia.

?The thing about it is, we were treated so well by our club and made such strong relationships with those people. I would never close the door on that,? Vandersloot told Associated Press. ?The whole situation with BG makes it really hard to think that it?s safe for anyone to go back there right now.?

WATCH THIS STORY: WNBA Star Brittney Griner’s Saga In Russia: The Entire Timeline

As things stand, there is a verdict of 9 years’ imprisonment against Griner. But it seems the people around her will never stop fighting for her.