Was the Formula One paddock judgemental towards Lewis Hamilton based on his appearance back in 2007?

Janmeyjay Shukla | 09/12/2022
Was the Formula One paddock judgemental towards Lewis Hamilton based on his appearance back in 2007?

Seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton joined Formula One after an amazing F2 career back in 2007. However, are the people really prejudiced towards the driver from the get-go?

Lewis Hamilton is one of the greatest drivers on the grid and is larger than just a driver due to his contribution to the sport. He is a philanthropist, musician, model and the list goes on and on.

When people have attention to themselves, they often speak more than they should. One of the journalists from the business F1 magazine did discuss an important point.

The seven times world champion’s Formula One rise

Lewis Hamilton rose through the ranks of karting to signing up with Ron Dennis’ McLaren as a junior driver. This really helped shape his career for the glory.

After winning the Formula 2 championship, McLaren gave him a promotion against the two times world champion Fernando Alonso. A mighty battle for everyone including the people around doubting the rookie.

Fifteen years later, the rookie from Britain became a seven times world champion with over 103 race wins to his name. Things did not go as planned for the 2022 season, but Hamilton would like to compete against Max Verstappen in 2023.

Also Read: Formula One spent $638 Million for fans to witness Max Verstappen claim his 2nd title

Lewis Hamilton did not have the piercing and tattoos back in 2007

Lewis Hamilton in many of the interviews discussed how he felt left out or judged by the journalist and people around him back in 2007. On a few occasions, he addressed that he wore piercings and tattoos.

However, according to the journalists from the F1 magazine, Hamilton did not actually have tattoos or piercing back then. His appearance would change in 2010 and later when he joined Mercedes.

Back in 2008 however, there was a particular incident during the Barcelona which was indeed racist. A family turned up wearing black paint over their face and calling themselves the ‘Hamilton family’.

Also Read: Mick Schumacher rues F1 teams not giving young drivers time to improve following Haas’ exit

Post Edited By: Janmeyjay Shukla
Lewis Hamilton

About the author

Janmeyjay Shukla

Janmeyjay Shukla is an artist who contributes his expressions through words as an F1 writer and editor at The SportsRush. He is an F1 historian who has been watching the sport since he was a baby. Passed on from generation to generation, he has seen the prime of Michael Schumacher to the rise of Max Verstappen. A Mercedes fan from the days of the Brawn GP era, the sport runs in his blood. Besides Formula One, Janmeyjay is a Marketing Head and a musician who loves to sing and play Rock & Pop songs on guitar. His love for sports will never die as he is a loyal Liverpool Football Club fan as well!

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