“Obviously ‘We Race As One’, but action is needed this year”- Lewis Hamilton demands stringent escalation in F1 steps towards equality.
The Black Lives Matter movement affected every spectrum of life last year, and Formula 1 was no exception. Lewis Hamilton being the only black driver on the grid, tried to spearhead the movement on the track but afterwards complained about the lack of support.
F1 took out initiatives and gave the slogan of #WeRaceAsOne, and a few drivers also joined Hamilton to show solidarity by kneeling before every Grand Prix race.
However, in the end, things remained the same in F1. This year, new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali organized a talk with all the drivers regarding the social responsibilities and mentioned what initiatives F1 would take. But Hamilton seeks actions more than slogans.
“Stefano has taken the time to sit with us all and be open in terms of having this discussion of how we can work together to improve the sport,” Hamilton said.
“We didn’t really necessarily have much of a discussion about [the pre-race messaging]. They explained to us their plans, and we can go back to them.”
Action will be taken shown to us.
Hamilton then revealed that Domenicali’s words seemed convincing, and it appeared that some progress in enforcement by FIA and F1 would be made, unlike last year.
“It wasn’t that everything had to be done there on the spot, but they are making some adjustments, which I think are positive. Last year there were a lot of slogans.”
“Obviously ‘We Race As One’, but the action is needed this year. That was something that was spoken to us and was expressed to us. That’s really what we’ve got to make sure [of], that we continue to have that conversation,” he added.
“Continue to make sure that action is taken this year as we continue to push for diversity inclusion within this sport. I think we’re all aligned with that goal of achieving that together.”
