MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lewis Hamilton dipped into the Roe v. Wade debate shortly after arriving within the United States. He protested a ban on sporting jewellery whereas racing by sporting three watches, eight rings and a number of necklaces in Miami.
And because the seven-time world champion ready for Formula One’s debut in South Florida, Hamilton hosted former first girl Michelle Obama in his pit for follow and qualifying.
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Hamilton stays as a lot a change agent 16 years into his profession as when he turned the primary Black winner in F1 in 2008. The British racer is now 37 years previous, is the winningest driver in collection historical past and is tied with Michael Schumacher with a document seven titles. Hamilton stays the one Black driver on the most elite degree of motorsports.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 07: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes hugs Michelle Obama in his storage throughout closing follow forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami on the Miami International Autodrome on May 07, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
He makes use of his platform to talk on problems with social justice and race, human rights and safety of the LBGTQ group. Hamilton speaks whereas racing in international locations with questionable human rights data, or when a difficulty arises during which he feels his voice can lend assist.
While in New York earlier this week, Hamilton took to Instagram to talk on the potential Supreme Court choice to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade choice and finish the nationwide proper to authorized abortion.
“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 posted on his Instagram story to his virtually 28 million followers.
“Everyone should have the right to choose what they do with their bodies. We can’t let that choice be taken away.”
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The subsequent put up included names of organizations and assets that assist abortion rights.
Two days later, he arrived within the paddock at Hard Rock Stadium sporting each piece of bijou he might discover. He was protesting a call by the FIA, the governing physique of F1, to clamp down on drivers sporting jewellery whereas competing. The FIA claims jewellery is a possible security hazard; Hamilton says he’s been sporting his piercings for 16 seasons in F1 and it’s his proper to precise himself as he chooses.
But because the glitz and glamour of F1 invaded Miami Gardens — a suburban household neighborhood that’s practically 70% Black or African American, in response to the U.S. Census Bureau — Hamilton was the lone face of range. It’s not sufficient, mentioned his boss, Mercedes head Toto Wolff.
“What (F1) needs is role models, not only the top driver, who is the biggest role model the sport has, but we need … to change that room, there needs to be a more diverse group of people talking about Formula One,” Wolff mentioned. “We just need to take one step at a time. We would love to have a very diverse group of fans and audiences and whatever we can do we are prepared to do.”
Zak Brown, the California native who now runs McLaren Racing, mentioned exposing F1 to a brand new viewers is essential. He cited the expansion of the North American fan base by Netflix’s docuseries “Drive to Survive” to “a new, more diverse youthful fan base.”
“If you look at the fan base that they brought in, they brought in a lot of female fans, a lot of youth,” Brown mentioned. “Coming to new markets like Miami and then looking for not just great race broadcasts but side and shoulder programming. It’s about making incremental gains in all of these areas.
“We just need to continue to expose our great sport to people that are new to the sport and then let the sport work its magic on everyone like it has us for many years.”
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