SEVEN times F1 champion Lewis Hamilton said Black Lives Matter gave him “extra drive” to win races.
He used his guest editor spot on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme to speak about the killing of American George Floyd which sparked BLM protests around the world.
Seven times F1 champion Lewis Hamilton said Black Lives Matter gave him ‘extra drive’ to win racesCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Mercedes driver, 35, said: “I had this extra drive in me this year to get to the end of those races.
“It was a different drive than what I’ve had in me in the past.
“To get to the end of those races first so that I could utilise that platform and shine the light as bright as possible”.
Hamilton was seen at races wearing T-shirts and masks with anti-racism slogans and took the knee on the winner’s podium.
The Sports Personality of the Year winner was asked if he was afraid how people would react to him taking a public stand.
He insisted: “There is no way that I could stay silent.
The Mercedes driver, 35, said: ‘I had this extra drive in me this year to get to the end of those races’Credit: AFP
“And once I said that to myself, I didn’t hold any fear”.
The sport’s only black driver said many other young “kids of colour” deserved the opportunity to progress.
But he claimed: “The opportunity is not the same for them”.
Lewis Hamilton wins 7th world title in Turkey to match Michael Schumacher record
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
