Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton says the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement helped to drive him on to his seventh title. The 35-year-old took a knee on the grid and wore anti-racism slogans in support of the cause during the season and his Mercedes team also adopted a black livery for the 2020 campaign in a stand against discrimination.
Having been voted the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year earlier this month after equalling Michael Schumacher's record of winning seven World Championships and passing the German's total of 91 grands prix victories, he said: "I had this extra drive in me to get to the end of those races."
Speaking to historian and presenter Professor David Olusoga, Hamiltion said: "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 for Black Lives Matter and shine the light as bright as possible." Asked if he had been concerned about the response to his stance, Hamilton replied: "There is no way that I could stay silent. And once I said that to myself, I didn't hold any fear."
When asked by presenter Nick Robinson about racism in his sport and the fact that he is the only Black F1 driver, he said: "There are many other young kids of colour that deserve the opportunity to progress, have a great education, be an engineer or whatever it is they want. But the fact is, the opportunity is not the same for them." The Mercedes driver also hinted that activism might represent a new avenue for him when he retires from racing. Lewis added: "The happiness and success of winning these championships is a wonderful thing, but it's short lived."
As well as Black Lives Matter, Hamilton also discussed the Hamilton Commission, the programme set up in his name to increase diversity in motorsport, the power of sport to bring positive change, electric cars and animal rights.
