Formula 1 has been around for decades and is popular for its cutting-edge technology, exhilarating races, and unparalleled competition which many aspire to be a part of. Yet, there are still notably few Black drivers on the line of scrimmage despite the sport’s growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Lewis Hamilton has been open about how he dislikes the fact that F1 seems to have become a club for “Billionaire Trust Fund Babies” while being the first and only Black driver in Formula 1.
The inadequacy of resources and access for aspiring Black drivers is one factor contributing to this absence. Racing is an extravagant sport that requires a lot of funding and sponsorship to get started and advance through the ranks, especially at the peak level of F1. Regrettably, a lot of young Black drivers lack the necessary resources or connections to pursue a career in racing. Their chances of competing in Formula 1 are greatly reduced if they lack access to top-notch training facilities, professional coaching, and advanced mac
🗣️ “I think he did feel [like] a bit of a loner, as a result.”
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 29, 2023
Matt Bishop speaks about Lewis Hamilton’s struggles as the first black driver in F1, and the need for drivers to step up in Sebastian Vettel’s absence 🏎️ pic.twitter.com/sasw18jvNm
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Lewis Hamilton has been a trailblazer in F1, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of Black drivers and his record-holding 7XWDC win, which he shares only with another F1 legend, Michael Schumacher, is something that is unconquerable for the new-age drivers.
Lewis Hamilton: the flag bearer of Black representation in F1
The Briton recently opened up about the traumatic experiences of racism he faced during his school days. Hamilton shared his experiences on an episode of the ‘On Purpose’ Jay Shetty podcast, which was released in January. The Mercedes driver revealed that he was bullied at the tender age of six, and his school days were the most difficult and traumatizing part of his life despite being half White.
At the particular school that he attended, Hamilton was one of only three children of color, and he faced constant bullying from bigger and stronger kids who threw him around. He further explained that he was subjected to constant jabs, and racial slurs, and even had bananas thrown at him. Hamilton shared that he found it difficult to fit in and was called half-caste, which only added to the misery. As per CNN, they have tried to reach out to Hamilton’s schools, but they have not received any responses yet.
Being a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, Hamilton has taken the lead in advocating for change. His actions have pushed other drivers to speak out and urged F1 to take a loud stance against racism. The world champion acknowledged that the process was changing throughout Formula 1, but he also emphasized that he thought his decision to wear T-shirts that flashed on every news channel that consisted of strong quotes against racism, had achieved highlighting racial injustice.
Lewis Hamilton’s accomplishments go beyond racial discrimination and the driver has been actively working toward the cause to welcome more and more colored individuals into the world of motorsports.