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“Where Is Hamilton in All of This”: Fans Bizarrely Attack Lewis After Helmut Marko’s Discriminatory Jibe at Sergio Perez

Published 09/12/2023, 1:00 PM EDT

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via Imago

The racing world isn’t a stranger to controversies, but this one stings, especially given F1’s recent pushes for inclusivity and anti-discrimination. Helmut Marko, made discriminatory comments attributing Sergio Perez’s inconsistent form to his ethnic background. Despite hailing from Guadalajara, North America, Marko labeled Perez as South American, alleging that his inconsistent performance was linked to his ethnicity. However, amidst the uproar, a surprising voice was missing – that of F1’s most vocal advocate for equality, Lewis Hamilton. This absence hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans, leading many to question, “Where is Hamilton in all of this?”

While the motorsport world reeled from these comments, there was a conspicuous silence from certain quarters – most notably Lewis Hamilton. And the apology hasn’t quelled the storm. Fans and critics expected immediate condemnation, and many eyes turned to Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, known not just for his on-track exploits but for championing racial equality and diversity off it, has remained quiet. Given his strong advocacy in recent times, especially his support for the Black Lives Matter movement and his commitment to the Mission 44 foundation, fans expected him to speak out against such blatant discriminatory remarks. “Where is Hamilton in all of this?” Echoed a significant section of the fanbase. This silence baffled many, leading to a barrage of questions aimed at Hamilton.

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To be specific, Marko stated, “We know that he has problems in qualifying, he has fluctuations in form, he is South American, and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max Verstappen is or as Sebastian Vettel.” These comments, drawing a connection between Perez’s performance and his South American heritage, were deemed not only offensive but also deeply ignorant and prejudiced.

Marko’s attempts at clarification only added fuel to the fire, Marko stated, “I do not believe that we can generalize about the people from any country, any race, any ethnicity,” the damage, for many, had been done. The Mexican GP organizers were quick to stand by Perez, emphasizing the need for respect and unity within the F1 community. Various publications called out the need for change, emphasizing that Perez and other drivers “deserve better.”

Fanning the Flames

The digital age has given fans an unprecedented voice. Social platforms became the battlegrounds of discussions and debates post-Marko’s remarks. With Hamilton being such a pronounced figure in the fight against discrimination, fans’ expectations for his response were evident. The real-time global sentiment was predominantly of disappointment and confusion. While Marko’s comments ignited the flame, the fan reactions have stoked it further.

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While some fans expressed expecting Lewis to address every blunder is unfair.

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What do you think is it fair to drag Lewis Hamilton into this, while there is champion in RedBull, who hasn’t spoken?

WATCH THIS STORY | Lewis Hamilton Outpaces Fernando Alonso With 1 Standout Quality that Matches Max Verstappen’s Near-perfect Racecraft

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Written by:

Vidhita

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Vidhita is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports. Driven by her deep passion for motorsports and a love for the exhilaration of speed. Since 2016, she has been captivated by the world of F1 after watching a race with a relative, and her fascination has only grown stronger over the years.
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Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar