Lewis Hamilton has sensationally revealed that other Formula 1 teams were making racist comments about him behind his back, after being tipped off by former Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel.
F1’s only driver of colour said that Vettel was brave for supporting him in 2020, when Hamilton’s activism really came into its own in the wake of the George Floyd case in the USA.
Hamilton convinced F1 to support the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and to encourage the drivers to kneel prior to races to show unity against racism, although several drivers rejected taking a knee.
“We have to get people to empathise, we need empathy.” Hamilton said to DAZN. “Sometimes I wonder, doesn’t anyone else care?
“Sebastian was one of the most supportive. He told me that in some teams they were saying racist things about me. He knelt with me in 2020, I have yet to see a driver as brave as him.
“Laws need to be changed so that people can live better lives. We are risking our lives to try to raise awareness.”
Hamilton doesn’t rule out Alonso partnership
In 2007, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were paired up at McLaren but their relationship soon deteriorated as Hamilton proved himself to be worthy competition to the then-world champion.
The drama culminated at the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix, when Alonso blocked Hamilton in the pit lane to ensure that the Brit could not begin a final qualifying lap, before it is alleged that he attempted to levy then-unknown ‘Spygate’ controversy against Ron Dennis for favourable team orders.
Alonso would leave at the end of 2007 to return to Renault as McLaren lost both championships, whilst Hamilton went on to win it all in 2008.
Since that season, the pair have never been teammates, but Hamilton did not rule out a reunion although he deemed it as unlikely: “If the stars align, yes, but I don’t think it will happen.”
Where is the next F1 2023 race?
With the F1 circus finished at Silverstone, we move on to the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix which will be held at the Hungaroring, Budapest over the weekend of July 21-23.
