‘You’ll see. You know me’: Hamilton hints at defying FIA ban on politics

Lewis Hamilton has hinted he may test the resolve of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) over its ruling on “political, religious and personal statements” at this weekend’s Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain.

The world governing body prompted a backlash over summer when it made a change to its statutes requiring drivers to remain neutral on certain issues during a race weekend, or else seek permission from the FIA well in advance.

Hamilton, 38, said last month “nothing” would stop him speaking out on topics he was passionate about.

Asked on Thursday if he planned to make a statement in Bahrain, the Mercedes driver said: “You’ll see. You know me.”

Hamilton, who has become increasingly outspoken during his career, said the FIA’s ruling was “100 per cent” a move in the wrong direction.

“It’s counter to what I’ve been trying to do with the team, for example, and in conversations with stakeholders within our sport,” he said.

Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about the FIA’s ban on political gestures.Credit: AP

“I expect pushback. There are still individuals that don’t understand or believe in the importance of having an inclusive environment.

“I think my job and our job is to continue to highlight the positives of it and the importance of it. It might sound like a broken record, but that’s what I’ve got to keep on doing; it’s the fight I’ve got to keep on having.”

Hamilton, who formed a commission that last year proposed a diversity-charter signed by F1 teams, also said the sport needed to do more to encourage women and girls.

Asked about the lack of women on the latest season of the Netflix show Drive to Survive, Hamilton said: “There are a lot of women and girls who watch Drive to Survive or who watch the sport, and if they’re not seeing that it’s possible for them to be there, then that’s counter-intuitive.

Lewis Hamilton in testing at Bahrain last week.Credit: Getty Images

“I’m trying to work with the team, with Ignite [a joint initiative with Mercedes], to get 8000 girls into the sport.

“We need everybody to be doing that up and down the pit lane because, 100 per cent, girls and women belong here equally as much as the men.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate George Russell warned that Red Bull were “in a league of their own” and heavy favourites to win Sunday’s opening grand prix.

“I think it will probably be a nice fight for second place between Ferrari and Aston Martin,” he said, suggesting Mercedes might be the fourth-fastest team.

Russell also downplayed the fact he beat Hamilton in their first season together at Mercedes and backed the seven-time champion to come charging back. Russell was fourth overall last year compared to sixth for Hamilton.

Russell also secured Mercedes’ only pole position and victory – in Hungary and Brazil, respectively. Hamilton did not win a race for the first time in his F1 career, dating to 2007.

“Those stats against a guy like Lewis are pretty irrelevant. He’s achieved 100 and more poles and victories,” Russell said.

“Race pace is maybe something I want to improve slightly, and I probably improved that towards the end of the year compared to Lewis.

“But he’s just an animal and he keeps on fighting, he keeps on going and he never gives up. So I think he’s going to come back fighting even more.”

Telegraph, London

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