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Hamilton: 'Some drivers are still quiet in racism debate'

4 July 2020 at 17:13
  • GPblog.com

In the weeks leading up to the Austrian Grand Prix a lot has been said about racism, also in Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton felt that too many important people (including drivers) stopped and urged them to speak out. Some of them did so, but not all of them yet.

There has been talk with all drivers about racism and how they will deal with it this weekend. This was discussed during the drivers briefing as well as during conversations with the GPDA. Hamilton calls these discussions to Autosport.com 'interesting' and is happy that the dialogue is at least open. However, he hopes that more drivers will speak out openly.

"Just saying thank you for those who have said something on their social media platforms, They've got a great voice, a great platform, and [I was] then encouraging the others that haven't to say something. I just described the scenario that silence is generally complicit."

No guidelines from the GPDA

The silence is still there in some cases and according to Hamilton this is because not everyone is aware yet of the problems he denounces. "I continue to try and be that guider, try to influence as many people as I can with it."

The GPDA did not agree on a joint gesture during these discussions. Each driver may decide for himself how to deal with this.