“When I Stop, I’ll Be Replaced by a…”: Agitated Lewis Hamilton Once Exposed F1’s Biggest Problem to Hold the Authority Accountable

The man who sits at the top of the records pile in Formula 1 didn’t ever have it easy. While it is already the most difficult task to reach the apex of motor sporting as there are only 20 spots in the world, Lewis Hamilton had an even more difficult time achieving that feat. Back in 2020, Hamilton opened up about his journey and the atrocious racism he was subjected to. Moreover, he had also added how the sport hasn’t progressed to incorporate diversity.

The 7x champion who is set to enter his 17th season of Formula 1 continues to be the only black driver on the grid. He still faces racism even after becoming the most successful and arguably the most famous driver in history. Last year itself, a video of Nelson Piquet resurfaced where he made such remarks for the Mercedes driver. So in 2020, after the George Floyd video surfaced, he sat down to shed light on racism in motor sports and the bullying he had to face at every step of the way because he was trying to make his mark in a sport where nobody looked like him. The man who has now been knighted by the British crown was repeatedly told to go back to his country.

Speaking to KISS in 2020, Hamilton said, “I thought me being here the last 14 years would have encouraged it to be a more diverse sport. But I remember standing the end of last year, and even this year. There’s not a lot of women there. It’s still a male, white dominated sport. When I stop, I’ll be replaced by a young white driver. There’s no other black kids currently coming through.”

He further added, “It’s holding the people that are in power accountable every single day. If they don’t budge it’s calling them out, and putting them on blast. That’s what I’ve been doing but that’s not always the most constructive way.”

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The Silver Arrows driver has in recent years developed a mechanism to push the underrepresented and stand up for things that he feels should be brought out. And the recent update of regulation of the International Sporting Code now has put him in a situation that will invite penalty if he raises any such issues anymore.

Lewis Hamilton may face a penalty by FIA for his helmet

The man who always had to stand up for himself eventually gathered the confidence to raise his voice for everything that should be highlighted using the prestigious platform he has got. However, the upholding of rights may not last for a very long time as FIA has banned making of any such statement during official ceremonies. The recently unveiled helmet of the champion still has “rainbow accents” which are specifically banned by the governing body.

As quoted by the Mirror, the FIA made it clear, “Anything critical of or hostile to others’ religious or spiritual beliefs” would be against the rule. That implies that a driver might be punished if, for example, they were to wear a rainbow t-shirt or race helmet on a Grand Prix weekend, without permission, as criticism of a country’s lack of LGBT+ rights.”

This is in direct contrast to Hamilton’s choice of colors for his lid, which may invite some penal step from the FIA.

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What do you think will be Hamilton’s next move if the FIA actually does make him change his headgear?