Lewis Hamilton told there would be ‘potential consequences’ if he supported Colin Kaepernick in 2017
Lewis Hamilton was set to race in a red helmet as a sign of support for Colin Kaepernick and the Black Lives Matter movement in 2017. However, he was soon told of ‘potential consequences’ if he went through with his plan.
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Lewis Hamilton was told there would be “potential consequences” if he demonstrated backing for the Black Lives Matter movement at a Formula One race in 2017 by wearing a red helmet in support of Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who had failed to find a new club after making his own protests.
Kaepernick had attracted attention in the US for kneeling during the national anthem before NFL matches, in protest at police brutality and racial inequality.
Hamilton was one of 14 drivers to take a knee before the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday and revealed after the race that he had been “silenced” at the time of the 2017 US Grand Prix, when he intended to express his support by racing in a red helmet – the colour worn by Kaepernick for the 49ers.
The 35-year-old revealed on Thursday that a senior figure from outside the sport had given warning that there could be “consequences” if he made such a statement.
“I was advised from outside, from someone in the States who was really quite high up, that it wasn’t the time for me to be doing so,” he said.
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“And there were potential consequences of me doing it, so that’s why they advised me not to do it.
“I do still have that helmet that I had done for Colin. I did speak to Colin, who was super supportive for me to have taken the knee. I’m grateful I was able to do it last weekend and continue the great movement he initially started.”
After taking a knee alongside fellow drivers while wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt before the opening race of the season at the weekend, Hamilton is unsure whether the ceremonies before the second race in Austria on Sunday will allow for such a striking protest.
“This weekend I don’t believe we have that position ahead of the national anthem,” he said. “It’s not my goal to take a knee during the national anthem.
“It was really encouraging to see at least one of the teams (not just the drivers) taking the knee. I think it was one of the Red Bull cars, which was great. If we have time, maybe there’s something my team and I could do.
“We really have to continue to speak out, utilise the moment to spread awareness. I will do my utmost. If I can find a way that doesn’t get in the way of us doing our job, then I will.”
As he began his quest for a seventh world title, Hamilton finished fourth in the opening race, having suffered a grid penalty for an offence in qualifying before being punished for his part in the collision with Alex Albon, the Red Bull driver.
While Hamilton’s Mercedes was moved down from second place to fourth by his penalty, Albon was forced to retire from the race shortly afterwards.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, expressed surprise that there had not been more criticism of Hamilton for his role in the collision, given the reactions to previous crashes involving Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver.
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“Lewis was penalised and I am sure if the shoe was on the other foot, there would be plenty of criticism, as Max has experienced in the past,” Horner wrote.
“But as a six-times world champion I guess these misjudgements are sometimes overlooked.”
Red Bull had instigated the protest that led to Hamilton being penalised, prompting Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, to say that “the gloves are off” in the battle with Red Bull.
Asked whether he thought Red Bull were indulging in mind games, Hamilton said: “If they don’t know me better by now … mind games don’t work. I guess they’ll eventually learn.”
Originally published as Lewis Hamilton told there would be ‘potential consequences’ if he supported Colin Kaepernick in 2017