Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. file. , Photo Credit: AP
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton on Thursday slammed Florida lawmakers for implementing anti-LGBTQ measures and criticized the state’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law in the context of persecution seen in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s not good at all,” said Hamilton ahead of F1’s highly anticipated race in suburban Miami this weekend. “I stand here by those within the community. I hope they stand strong and back down. I will have a rainbow on my helmet. It’s no different than when we were in Saudi.”
Hamilton, the only black driver in F1, Regularly uses his platform to speak out on issues of social justice and race, human rights and protection of the LBGTQ community. The 38-year-old Briton speaks out when racing in countries with questionable human rights records, including Saudi Arabia – or when an issue arises in which he feels his voice can lend support.
The comments come three days before F1’s unprecedented three stops in the United States this season and amid growing interest in the racing series among Americans. Other stops are in Austin, Texas, and Las Vegas.
Hamilton often races with a rainbow flag on his helmet, particularly when F1 stops at venues in countries with restrictive laws. There was no on-track activity on Thursday, and Hamilton wore a Tommy Hilfiger two-piece blue set with red and white accents in memory of being in the United States.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill into state law in late March. The measure, since comprehensive, prohibits public school teachers from teaching students about sexual orientation or gender identity. Although Hamilton is against it, the veteran Mercedes driver would not say whether F1 should avoid racing in Florida because of its social policies.
Hamilton said, “It’s not for me to decide something like that.” He said, ‘I have heard and read about some of the decisions taken by the government here and I do not agree with it and I do not support it. I really do continue to stand with the LGBTQ community and I’m wearing a rainbow flag on my helmet this weekend and I really want to continue to support the community here and let them know I’m with them I stand by and I hope they will continue to fight against him.
“It’s not the people of Miami who are making these decisions, it’s the people in government and that’s the issue,” he said. “I think, hopefully, I can — the game’s going to be here whether I’m there or not — but the least I can do is just be supportive and just be here and have my helmet on, hopefully.” It speaks well to the subject.
Before last year’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton dipped into the Roe vs. Wade debate and hosted former first lady Michelle Obama in his pit for practice and qualifying.
“I love living in the States, but I can’t ignore what’s happening right now and what some people in government are trying to do to the women who live here,” Hamilton said of the Supreme Court decision. said before ending. Nationwide right to legal abortion. “Everyone should have the right to choose what they do with their body. We can’t let that choice go away.
Formula One’s governing body said at the start of the year that drivers would be banned from speaking on social justice issues at events. The drivers pushed back and the FIA clarified its position to allow the drivers to answer questions. Hamilton was asked about Florida’s laws on Thursday, but had previously said he would not follow the FIA’s guidelines.
Hamilton became the first black race winner in F1 in 2008. Now in the final year of his contract with Mercedes, Hamilton is the winningest driver in series history and is tied with Michael Schumacher with a record seven titles.