LEWIS HAMILTON will NOT be punished for wearing a T-shirt that read: “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor.”
The FIA have confirmed they are looking into whether or not the Brit F1 champ broke rules by wearing the top at the Tuscan GP.
Hamilton wore the top demanding justice for Taylor on the podium after winning the Tuscan GPCredit: Getty – Pool
Hamilton unveiled the powerful message before the race tooCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Brit F1 superstar’s shirt had Taylor’s face on the backCredit: Reuters
But SunSport understands Hamilton will not be punished by the sport’s governing body.
And it comes as legendary driver Damon Hill blasted F1 for having its “head in the sand” over the issue.
Hamilton, 35, wore the top demanding justice for the 26-year-old black American woman shot dead when officers stormed her Kentucky apartment on a drugs search in March.
Detective Brett Hankison has since been fired while two other officers involved in the raid have been put on leave.
An FIA spokesman said they were considering if Hamilton’s T-shirt broke rules.
The spokesman said the matter was “under active consideration” and they are looking into whether Hamilton’s top bore a political message.
Hamilton, who has spearheaded his sport’s drive for racial equality and justice, wore the shirt before winning the Tuscan GP.
He also wore it on the podium after recording his 90th victory – one short of Michael Schumacher’s record.
Former world champ Hill said F1 had its ‘head in the sand’ over the issue
Hamilton took to Instagram to further spread the messageCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
An FIA spokesman said they were looking into Hamilton’s decision to wear the topCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Hamilton has been vocal in the fight for racial equalityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Breonna Taylor was shot dead by police in MarchCredit: AP:Associated Press
Former F1 world champ Hill appeared to commend Hamilton’s actions and said the sport had to “embrace” these messages.
Hill, 59, tweeted: “Such a mixed reaction to Lewis Hamilton’s T-shirt podium message.
“But F1 has always had its head in the sand over any issue that might make people think about anything other than F1.
“It has to make space for these messages if it is to be embraced by the wider world.”
Hamilton – who was slammed by F1 chief Michael Masi for claiming drivers’ lives were at risk in the Italian race – also took a knee before the race last weekend while several others chose to stand.
Fight for justice
The Stevenage-born star ended his winner’s speech by saying: “Justice for Breonna Taylor.”
The sport’s governing body bans political messages and it has been reported elsewhere that Hamilton was said to have “crossed a line” with his latest message.
As a result, while he will escape punishment, it is understood that FIA chiefs will look at podium guidelines.
Hamilton has been a leading voice during the Black Lives Matter movement in recent months.
That included calling on broadcasters to help support F1’s anti-racism message.
He also attended a BLM movement in London as protests were sparked around the globe following the death of George Floyd.
Seven people shot at demonstration, protesting the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
