F1 News
Hamilton pleads for human rights with rainbow flag in Qatar again
- Toby McLuskie
Lewis Hamilton will drive the Qatar Grand Prix with a special helmet design. On his helmet this weekend, as at the 2021 Qatar GP, it will feature LGBTQ+ colours. With this helmet, the Mercedes driver wants to make a statement and stand up for the human rights situation in the oil state.
Hamilton wears a helmet with the rainbow flag to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community. The rights and freedoms of this group are limited in the country. In 2021, he wore a similar helmet and was nervous about the reactions he would get. Making the statement pleased him and Hamilton will do it again now he has returned in 2023.
Hamilton wears rainbow flag in Qatar
In 2022, the rainbow flag at the World Cup was also a contentious issue. Speaking to BBC.com, Hamilton explained his goal this weekend: "It's always good and well raising awareness for things, but it is more about the work that is done in the background and the conversations you continue to have to have."
"And it's such a big machine to shift," the Brit continued. "It is a whole country that is very young. It has taken the West a long, long time to get to where they are. All we can do is try to be positive when we come to these places and take the opportunity - that's why I continue to wear the flag here."
Finally, he admitted he was nervous when he first made the statement in 2021: "In 2021 it was nerve-wracking because I didn't know how the country would react. But it was amazing when I do meet people who are incredibly grateful for utilising the platform for something like that so they feel included. As a sport we have to continue to work on our inclusivity. Diversity continues to be an issue."