Lewis Hamilton has rallied across Formula 1 and motorsports, in general, to bring diversities to the sport. Lewis Hamilton recently opened up about his conversations regarding the same with his boss Toto Wolff.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton remains the only black driver to ever race in Formula 1. The seven-time world champion has repetitively campaigned to increase diversity and inclusion in motorsports.
Hamilton advocated for the Black Lives moment in 2020. The Briton kneeled in every race that year also establishing the Mission 44 foundation. Hamilton also started a joint enterprise with his team.
To support their driver, the Brackley-based squad also changed their trademark silver colors to black for 2020 and 2021.
Hamilton also opened up about his feelings to change the “narrative”:
“I was winning which gave me a tip of happiness but there was something missing,”
Hamilton told a podcast.
“It was a purpose – Why was I put here? Why do I have this platform? Why am I the only person of colour?“
“When I started speaking about diversity people said: ‘You want more people of colour to become drivers.“
“No – there are thousands of engineering jobs too, and such a lack of diversity. I want to be a part of shifting that narrative.“
Hamilton’s words hit Toto Wolff hard
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff share a strong bond. Both collections are the main reasons behind the success of Mercedes’s team in the past decade.
Hamilton further added about the “tough conversations” with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
“At first I started by having difficult conversations with my boss.”
“One of the things which he brings up, which he says hit him hard – I said: ‘Have you ever thought about walking into the paddock and being the only white person?“
He said:
‘I had never thought of that’.
“I said: ‘That is what it’s like for someone like me. You are noticed. In a room of 50 people you are noticed as the only black person.“
“It’s not because we are less. It is because there are barriers in society. My job is to be empowering.“
“Black equity as well – that’s why I am involved with the Denver Broncos.”
“Every partner that we have, I have asked very difficult questions to.”
“I have grown close to Mercedes-Benz. We changed the car from silver to black. I said to them: ‘Imagine the message we could send.”
“We won with it. That’s how I won my seventh world title, with that car.”
Lewis Hamilton endured one of the toughest seasons of his career in 2022. For the first time, the Briton failed to secure even a single win.
Regardless, Hamilton would be preparing for the 2023 challenge as he prepares to make a comeback statement.
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