Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. File.
| Photo Credit: AP
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton lashed out Thursday at anti-LGBTQ measures enacted by Florida lawmakers and ripped the state’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” legislation with a reference to oppression seen in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s not good at all,” Hamilton mentioned forward of F1’s extremely anticipated race in suburban Miami this weekend. “I stand by those within the community here. I hope they continue to stand firm and push back. I’ll have the rainbow on my helmet. It’s no different to when we were in Saudi.”
Hamilton, F1’s solely Black driver, frequently makes use of his platform to talk on problems with social justice and race, human rights and safety of the LBGTQ neighborhood. The 38-year-old Briton speaks out whereas racing in nations with questionable human rights data — together with Saudi Arabia — or when a problem arises during which he feels his voice can lend assist.
The feedback come simply three days earlier than the primary of F1’s unprecedented three stops within the United States this season and amid surging curiosity within the racing collection amongst Americans. The different stops are in Austin, Texas, and Las Vegas.
Hamilton usually races with a rainbow flag on his helmet, particularly when F1 stops at venues situated in nations with restrictive legal guidelines. There was no on-track exercise Thursday, and Hamilton wore a Tommy Hilfiger two-piece blue set that had purple and white accents to commemorate being within the United States.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education invoice into state legislation on the finish of March. The measure, since widened, prohibits public faculty lecturers to show pupils about sexual orientation or gender identification. Although Hamilton is in opposition to it, the veteran Mercedes driver wouldn’t say if F1 ought to keep away from racing in Florida due to its social insurance policies.
“It’s not for me to decide something like that,” Hamilton mentioned. “I did hear and have read about some of the decisions that have been made in government here and I do not agree with it and I do not support it. I really do continue to stand with the LGBTQ community and I’m wearing a rainbow flag on my helmet this weekend and I just really want to continue to support the community here and let them know I stand with them and I hope they continue to fight against it.
“It’s not the people of Miami that are making these decisions, it’s the people in government and that’s the issue,” he added. “I think, hopefully, all I can do – the sport is going to be here whether I am or not – but the least I can do is just continue to be supportive and just being here and having that on my helmet, hopefully that speaks well to the subject.”
Before final yr’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton dipped into the Roe v. Wade debate and hosted former first woman Michelle Obama in his pit for observe and qualifying.
“I love being in the States, but I can’t ignore what’s going on right now and what some in the government are trying to do to the women who live here,” Hamilton mentioned then, forward of the Supreme Court resolution to finish the nationwide proper to authorized abortion. “Everyone should have the right to choose what they do with their bodies. We can’t let that choice be taken away.”
Formula One’s governing physique firstly of the yr mentioned drivers could be prohibited from talking out on social justice points at occasions. The drivers pushed again and the FIA clarified its place to permit drivers to reply to questions. Hamilton on Thursday was requested about Florida’s legal guidelines, however had beforehand mentioned he wasn’t going to be comply with the FIA steerage.
Hamilton grew to become the primary Black race winner in F1 in 2008. Now within the last yr of his contract with Mercedes, Hamilton is the winningest driver in collection historical past and is tied with Michael Schumacher with a report seven titles.
