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Lewis Hamilton responds to comments made by Nelson Pique and believes that the “older voices” in motorsport should not be given a platform, as they do not represent the majority.
Lewis Hamilton responds to comments made by Nelson Pique and believes that the “older voices” in motorsport should not be given a platform, as they do not represent the majority.
Lewis Hamilton gave a passionate and dignified response to Nelson Pique’s comments, questioning why “we are giving older votes a platform”, but also insisting that he “will take the main road” and that the scandal will not stop him from striving to progress and off the track.
On Thursday before the British Grand Prix, Hamilton appeared in the media for the first time after Pique’s comments surfaced, with the former Brazilian Formula One champion using a racially offensive term when talking about Hamilton.
Pique apologized on Wednesday, saying his comments from November last year were “ill-considered” – but denied any racial intent.
Hamilton had already posted on social media that “archaic thinking needs to change” in response to Pique, 69, and he expanded to Silverstone.
“I’ve been getting racism, criticism, negativism, archaic stories and nuances of discrimination for a long, long time, and there’s nothing particularly new to me,” said the seven-time Formula One champion. “It’s more about the bigger picture.
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Lewis Hamilton reveals how to deal with abuse and shares his advice for young people who may be going through similar situations.
Lewis Hamilton reveals how to deal with abuse and shares his advice for young people who may be going through similar situations.
“I do not know why we continue to give a platform to these older voices.
“They talk about our sport and we are looking to go somewhere completely different. If we want to develop in the United States, other countries, South Africa, we need to look to the future and give a platform to younger people who are more representative of today.
“It’s not just about one person, it’s not about using the term once, it’s about the bigger picture.”
Hamilton, in a measured media briefing before his home race, also mentioned Sir Jackie Stewart, 83, urging him to retire, and Bernie Ecclestone’s (91) recent defense against Pique and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Max Verstappen believes that education in racism should be taught at a younger age, after recent cases of racist insults in motorsport.
Max Verstappen believes that education in racism should be taught at a younger age, after recent cases of racist insults in motorsport.
“It just goes back to Formula One, the media, we don’t have to give these people a platform,” he said. “Discrimination is not something we should design and promote by providing a platform for dividing people.
“We have to bring people together, we are all the same.
“It’s not helpful, the comments we see from some people. I don’t think a day has gone by that people who are older – who haven’t been relevant to our sport for decades – haven’t said negative things and trying to knock me down.
“But I’m still here, I’m still strong, I’m focused on my work and I’m really trying to push for diversity and inclusion in our organization.”
Hamilton was then asked if he had lost respect for these “older voices.”
“I’ve always tried to walk the main road, I’ve always tried to treat these people with respect,” he said. “But as I said before, why do we give these guys a platform? They are not with time, they obviously do not want to change.
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Charles Löckler believes that Formula 1 has a long way to go in tackling racism in sport.
Charles Löckler believes that Formula 1 has a long way to go in tackling racism in sport.
“In these times of discrimination and micro-aggression, in today’s world this is simply not useful and creates more division.
“I love how Michelle Obama says, ‘When they fall, go up,’ so I try to keep doing that, I’m inspired by people like that.”
“I’m still here, it won’t stop me from doing what I think is right and doing what I love, which is a job in this sport.”
Hamilton: “Enough is enough … I can’t do it alone”
Sky Sports understands that Pique is now not welcome in the Formula 1 paddock after his remarks, while on Thursday the membership of the 69-year-old player was suspended by the renowned British club of racing drivers.
On Thursday, the Hamilton Ignite initiative announced its first grants for diversity and then the condemnation of Pique from Formula 1, the Englishman called on more organizations to take action.
“It’s not good enough to just say that we’re also focused on that, just words, we really need to push for action,” Hamilton said. “That’s why I’m proud of the first step we took with Ignite, and it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning.
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George Russell believes that everyone in Formula 1 should use their platform to stand together and repel racism in sports.
George Russell believes that everyone in Formula 1 should use their platform to stand together and repel racism in sports.
“I have a mission 44 [a charitable foundation] I have a whole team working on this, I have my own money in this and I’m trying to raise money to push this. I have partnerships with Sky, there is a lot of great work going on. But we need more and I can’t do it alone. “
He added: “Enough is enough, I try to take the main road, but no one should get rid of racism and it should not be mine to reject it. We need organizations to take a stand. “
F1 drivers show support for Hamilton
Pique’s comments led to widespread condemnation from the Formula One community, and this continued in a media day in Silverstone, while the drivers continued to show their support for Hamilton.
Sebastian Vettel, the Aston Martin driver and four-time world champion, said: “I think it’s more than the last few days, to be very honest. This is probably what he went through, during which his whole family went through life.
“Any form of abuse is wrong, so I think it was great to see that there was so much response from the whole Formula One community and so quickly people reacted and expressed support for Lewis.
“I do not think there should be room for such comments. We still have a lot to do, I think we’ve come a long way from years ago, but it doesn’t help when there are still these things. and people who use inappropriate comments and people say the wrong things.
“I think it’s very important to talk about it and keep talking about it, because it hasn’t disappeared and it won’t disappear overnight. That would be great, but it’s a bigger issue, and F1 has a greater responsibility in that regard to carry over and solve these problems that I think we’re trying to achieve. “
Hamilton’s British compatriot Norris agreed: “I don’t think this is something Lewis has had very recently, this is something he has had to deal with for much of his career since she started.
“I think we all know how strong a person he is, how he can get through these times, because it’s definitely not an easy thing. First of all, I don’t think there is a place for this kind of comments or people who introduce them in Formula 1 and for people, especially on such a public stage.
“Everyone supports Lewis as a person and a driver, I’m sure he is a strong person and can survive these times.
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Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris stand behind Lewis Hamilton and believe that Formula 1 has a responsibility to tackle discrimination and continue to talk about it.
Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris stand behind Lewis Hamilton and believe that Formula 1 is responsible for dealing with the problems of …
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