Mixed Race Studies

Lewis Hamilton attacks silence from F1 paddock over George Floyd killing

The Guardian
2020-05-31

Giles Richards

Lewis Hamilton has accused ‘some of the biggest stars’ in his sport of ‘staying silent in the midst of injustice’ after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Photograph: David Davies/PA

• Hamilton: ‘I see those of you who are staying silent’
• Driver condemns response from ‘white-dominated sport’

Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about the killing of George Floyd and offered a damning condemnation of the silence from others in Formula One, including his fellow drivers.

“I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice,” he wrote on Instagram. “Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white-dominated sport.

“I’m one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone. I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us. Just know I know who you are, and I see you.”

Hamilton is the only black driver in Formula One and has been outspoken on the sport’s need for greater diversity in the past. “There’s barely any diversity in F1,” Hamilton said in 2018. “Still nothing’s changed in 11 years I’ve been here.”…

Read the entire article here.

Lewis Hamilton

60 Minutes
CBS News
2015-12-13

Lewis Hamilton shows off Formula One car to Charlie Rose

The following is a script from “Lewis Hamilton” which aired on Dec. 13, 2015. Charlie Rose is the correspondent. Keith Sharman, producer.

There is nothing like Formula One in terms of global popularity, glamour and speed. The racing series is considered the pinnacle of motor sports. Most Americans haven’t heard of its biggest star — his name is Lewis Hamilton. Even if car races aren’t your thing, there’s still much to admire in Hamilton’s inspiring story of beating the odds and breaking through barriers. But if you do like speed…buckle up…because you’re about to experience the indescribable rush of driving one of the fastest race cars on the planet.

Lewis Hamilton: Nothing can really prepare you for when you get in the Formula One car. Knowing that you’re driving a multimillion-dollar car, and if you crash it it’s going to cost a lot of money, and they might not give you another chance, is scary…

…Worldwide, Formula One generated more than two billion dollars last season but remains a niche sport in the United States.

F1 executives hope Hamilton can change that.

They have never seen a star like him before.

Charlie Rose: How many black drivers in Formula One?

Lewis Hamilton: One.

Charlie Rose: Why is that?

Lewis Hamilton: Well, I don’t know. I think in the future there’ll be more.

Charlie Rose: You’re a role model?

Lewis Hamilton: I hope so….

Read the entire transcript here. Watch the interview here.

Lewis Hamilton wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014

BBC News
2014-12-14

Lewis Hamilton has been voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014.

The 29-year-old Mercedes driver won his second Formula 1 world title this season and joined an exclusive club by becoming the fourth Briton to win the drivers’ championship at least twice.

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was runner-up, with athlete Jo Pavey third.

“I was sitting there saying Rory’s going to have it,” said Hamilton, who earned 34% of the vote. “I thought it had to be someone else.”

The Englishman won 209,920 of the 620,932 votes cast, with McIlroy getting 123,745 (20%) and Pavey 99,913 (16%)…

Read the entire article here.

Lewis Hamilton’s lack of popularity: is it cos he is black?

The Guardian
London, United Kingdom
2014-11-24

Joseph Harker, Assistant Comment Editor

The Formula One champion doesn’t seem to earn the plaudits other successful British sports people do, but the criticism of him is ludicrous

Yesterday Lewis Hamilton became the first British driver in more than 40 years to win the Formula One drivers’ championship twice. It was a year in which he won 11 of the 19 races, and sealed the title with victory in Abu Dhabi. This is an amazing achievement for a boy from a humble background in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, whose parents split up when he was just two years old. Highlighting how exceptional a story this is, his closest rival, teammate Nico Rosberg, is the son of a former F1 champion and was raised in Monaco…

Read the entire article here.