Lewis Hamilton may continue to take a knee to stop fight against racism from 'dying a silent death'

Lewis Hamilton was one of 14 drivers to take a knee ahead of the Austrian GP
Getty Images
Matt Davies5 July 2020

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he may continue to take a knee at future Formula One races but insists he doesn't want other drivers to feel "forced" to do so.

As the Formula One 2020 season got underway in Austria, Hamilton was joined by 13 other drivers who knelt before the race began to show solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen were among six drivers who stayed standing, however, though both posted messages beforehand insisting they also support the fight against racism.

Hamilton - who also wore a T-shirt with the message 'Black Lives Matter' moments before the race - opened his campaign with a fourth-place finish as he searches for a record-equalling seventh world title.

Speaking after the race, Hamilton insisted he didn't want to see the support for the movement "die a silent death" in the future, stating he regrets being silenced in the past.

In Pictures | Mercedes F1 2020 Car at Austrian Formula One Grand Prix

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"There has been awareness on the subject over the last few weeks and we don't need it to die a silent death and see no change," said Hamilton. "I can be the guinea pig and keep speaking out.

"All of us, myself included, we have to be accountable. This started with NFL player Colin Kaepernick. He sat down for the US national anthem. He sat down and received a backlash.

"It was suggested to him to take a knee. It was a powerful statement but he lost his job and never got it back.

"I spoke to him before the [2017] US Grand Prix and I had a helmet made in red with his number on the top. But I was silenced and told to back down. I supported that decision which I regret.

"So it was important for me to make sure I played my part this time and, moving forward, whether there is going to be an opportunity to take the knee, I don't know.

"I don't want it to be a case of people feeling forced. I want people to be excited to be a part of the change.

"I want people to think that while they are fortunate not to have experienced racism, they can try to understand what it feels like and that they don't want people to feel that way and want to be part of change so in the future our kids can lead a better quality of life."

Hamilton added on Twitter after the race: "Today was an important moment for me and all the people out there who are working for and hoping for change. For a more equal and just society.

"I may get criticism in the media and elsewhere, but this fight is about equality, not politics or promotion. To me it was an emotional and poignant chapter in the progress of making F1 a more diverse and inclusive sport.

"I want a better future for our generation and the ones after us. There is so much that needs to be done."

Additional reporting by PA.

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