LONDON:Seven times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton says he is confident his sport has a bright and more diverse future but he will not take his foot off the accelerator in pushing for change.
The Mercedes racer, Formula One's first Black driver and champion, told Reuters Television in an interview that he also looked forward to more success with a team that has dominated the past seven years.
The Briton is Formula One's most successful driver, equalling Ferrari great Michael Schumacher's record seven titles and smashing the German's records for most career wins, with the Briton now on 94.
"This year there has been this awakening," said the 35-year-old, who sealed his seventh title, and sixth with Mercedes, after winning in Turkey last weekend.
"Already it has sparked a change but it’s really important that it’s not just symbolism, it’s important that it’s not just words... that we take real action to make change, to make this a more diverse sport."
Hamilton, who made his F1 debut in 2007, recalled looking around the Australian Grand Prix paddock in Melbourne at the start of last year and posting images on Instagram of the startling lack of diversity he saw.
"And then I got to the end of the year and I saw all the photos of all the teams... and there were three or four people of colour within that setting and I remember thinking: ‘How has that not changed at all since I’ve been here?’
"It isn’t a surprise when you think of the people who have led our sport, the comments they’ve come out with this year," added Hamilton.
"So there’s a lot of learning to do and it’s uncomfortable for some people, the conversation."
STRONGLY CRITICAL
Hamilton did not name any names but he has been strongly critical this year of former F1 commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, now 90, for suggesting the sport did not have a problem with racism.
He has also hit back at former champions Mario Andretti and Jackie Stewart, both in their 80s, for their reactions to his campaigning stance.
Hamilton said the sport had gone "leaps and bounds' in breaking down barriers and opening up a dialogue this year.
"You’ve seen (F1 chairman) Chase Carey putting money towards the movement, we’ve seen the (sport's governing) FIA doing more. So I think the future’s bright but I’ve got to stay on top of these people," he added.
"We’ve all got to stay on top to make sure that change really follows."
Hamilton this year set up a commission of experts to help increase the representation of Black people in British motorsport, while Formula One has rolled out an anti-racism campaign.
He said that 2020, racing through the COVID-19 pandemic, had been "the hardest year for everyone" but the movement for change and using his platform to promote racial justice and equal rights had been a "great driver in the background."
"I think the sport’s realised that it has a powerful voice and a place in pushing for better living standards for everyone around the world," said Hamilton.
"There are some teams that we’re still working on, to try and bring them in and be a part of change and realise that they can do better in their company. But I think I’ve seen lots of change."
Reuters
Thu Nov 19 2020
Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with a trophy after winning the race and the world championship, Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Istanbul Park, Turkey - Nov 15, 2020. REUTERSpic
Liga Parlimen Al-Quds: Malaysia kongsi pengalaman perjuang nasib rakyat Palestin - Syed Ibrahim
Delegasi negara berkongsikan pengalaman Malaysia sebagai usaha berterusan mempertahankan nasib Palestin dalam Persidangan Liga Parlimen Al-Quds di Istanbul, Turki pada Sabtu.
Akta Laut Wilayah masih sah, terpakai termasuk di Terengganu - PMO
Akta Laut Wilayah 2012 (Akta 750) masih sah dan terpakai di seluruh Malaysia termasuk di Terengganu, walaupun Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Terengganu membuat keputusan menolak pemakaiannya.
Yakeb sasar 1,000 bekas atlet baharu tahun ini
Yakeb menyasarkan seramai 1,000 bekas atlet dapat berdaftar di bawah yayasan itu sepanjang tahun ini. Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet K
Pulau Pinang mahu perbanyak kedai makan mesra muslim
Kerajaan Pulau Pinang berhasrat memperbanyakkan kemudahan terutama kedai makan mesra Muslim bagi memperkasakan lagi industri pelancongan di negeri ini.
Tiga firma semikonduktor mahu labur AS$100 juta di Pulau Pinang - Chow
Syarikat berkenaan adalah China Wafer Level CSP Co (WLCSP), Ningbo SJ Electronics Co (SJE) dan Wuxi AMTE Inc (AMTE).
Johor pastikan masalah bekalan air ketika perayaan tidak berulang
Kerajaan negeri akan berusaha memastikan sifar masalah bekalan air pada hari raya tahun hadapan dengan beberapa langkah telah diambil.
41 kes kebakaran terbuka di Gua Musang sejak Februari - Bomba
Aktiviti pembakaran terutamanya di kebun, ladang dan hutan perlu dielakkan ketika musim panas ini.
Runtuhan bangunan di Gaza akan ambil masa 14 tahun untuk dialihkan - Pegawai PBB
Serangan Israel telah meninggalkan runtuhan yang dianggarkan seberat 37 juta tan dalam satu wilayah yang padat dengan penduduk.
Fokus Minggu Depan: Gelanggang PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu dibuka
Ikuti kupasan Timbalan Ketua (Strategi), Ibu Pejabat Asia UNSDSN, Universiti Sunway, Prof. Wong Chin Huat mengenai Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Kuala Kubu Baharu yang bermula seusai proses penamaan calon pada Sabtu.
Wanita lintas jalan hingga akibatkan kemalangan direman
Seorang wanita berusia 35 tahun yan melintas jalan sehingga mengakibatkan berlakunya kemalangan maut di KM98.6 LPT 1 direman dua hari.
F1: Lewis Hamilton akan 'berseronok' dari petak ke-18 di GP China
Pemandu Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton berkata dia berhasrat untuk "berseronok" dalam Grand Prix F1 China Ahad selepas berada di petak ke-18.
Lewis Hamilton buat kejutan muncul di SMK Seri Keramat
Penampilan khas Lewis Hamilton di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Keramat berjaya menarik perhatian netizen.
Verstappen ganti Hamilton musim depan?
Toto Wolff mendedahkan buat pertama kali bahawa dia berbesar hati untuk menerima kehadiran Max Verstappen menyertai pasukan Mercedes.
Pelumba F1 bimbang terhadap kenaikan kadar denda oleh FIA
Lewis Hamilton serta seluruh pelumba Formula 1 boleh dikenakan denda sehingga 1 juta euro berikutan perubahan drastik terhadap peraturan sukan itu.
F1: Hamilton mampu atasi Schumacher dengan gelaran F1 kelapan - Andretti
Mario Andretti tidak percaya Hamilton melakukan kesilapan apabila menyerahkan masa depannya kepada Mercedes.
F1: Alonso puji Verstappen sebagai pemandu terbaik selepas Schumacher
Verstappen hanya perlu mengumpul tiga mata dalam perlumbaan pecut Sabtu ini di Qatar bagi melengkapkan hatrik gelaran dunia.
Carlos Sainz Ferrari muncul juara Grand Prix F1 Singapura
Carlos Sainz melakar kemenangan untuk Ferrari dalam Grand Prix Formula 1 Singapura 2023.
F1: Max Verstappen terus bergelut di GP Singapura, mulakan saingan di tempat ke-11
Max Verstappen akan memulakan perlumbaan Grand Prix Singapura malam ini dari tempat ke-11.
F1: Hamilton beri komitmen kepada Mercedes sehingga 2025
Dijangkakan bahawa perjanjian baharu itu akan memperoleh Hamilton dalam lingkungan GBP50 juta setahun.
F1: Lewis Hamilton tidak tolak Max Verstappen sapu bersih baki perlumbaan
Lewis Hamilton khuatir bahawa Max Verstappen berpeluang tinggi memenangi kesemua baki 10 perlumbaan Formula Satu (F1) musim ini.